Student, labor, and civil groups schedule mass protest in Santiago for Saturday
Student federations, labor unions, and civil society groups in Chile have scheduled a mass protest for Saturday, October 10, in Santiago, joining an international wave of demonstrations against Israeli military operations in Gaza, BioBioChile reported.
Student Groups Organize March Through Central Santiago
The mobilization begins at 12:00 hours at Metro Universidad Católica and advances through central Santiago toward Los Héroes.
Solidaridad por Palestina Universidad de Chile and the Federación de Estudiantes de la Universidad de Chile organized the march.
Numerous organizations have announced their adherence to the march. Participants include the Confederación de Estudiantes de Chile, the Comunidad Palestina de Chile, Amnistía Chile, the Coordinadora Feminista 8M, and the Centro de Información Palestina. Labor representation features the Agrupación Nacional de Empleados Fiscales, the Asociación de Funcionarios de la Universidad de Chile, and the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Universidad de Chile. Professional blocks comprising journalists, medical doctors, and lawyers will also march in solidarity with Palestinian peers.
Protesters Demand Arms Embargo over Gaza Crisis
Protesters demand an arms embargo against Israel, stricter international sanctions, and the suspension of trade agreements. The demonstrations respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza following the military escalation that began in October 2023.
Organizers cite figures from the Gaza Ministry of Health indicating that more than 74,000 Palestinians have died since the start of military operations. In parallel, reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlight worsening conditions in the West Bank. OCHA documented more than 1,600 attacks by Israeli settlers resulting in casualties or property damage through September 2026, alongside the forced displacement of more than 4,000 residents due to demolitions, evictions, and restricted access.
International Actions Bring Visibility to Palestinian Crisis
Protests span cities across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East during the three-day international action. In Chile—home to the largest Palestinian community outside the Arab world—organizers emphasize maintaining visibility for the crisis in public spaces and political agendas.
Ahead of the march departure at Los Héroes, participating professional and student blocks planned a press briefing outside the Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral. Local authorities and transit management agencies have not yet released finalized estimates regarding participant turnout or specific street closures surrounding the march route through downtown Santiago.