When police fire tear gas at protesters demanding the resignation of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, most run away.
These are the "deactivators." Donning gas masks, safety goggles and thick gloves, these volunteers grab the hot canisters and toss them inside large plastic bottles filled with a mixture of water, baking soda and vinegar.
The protests have exposed deep divisions in the country between the urban elites and the rural poor. Demonstrations were first largely concentrated in the south, a long-neglected region of Peru that felt a particular kinship to Castillo's humble background as a rural teacher from the Andean highlands. But earlier this month, thousands descended on Peru's capital, and police met them with tear gas. Lots and lots of tear gas.
"Who wants gloves? Who wants gloves?" he yelled as he stood next to several large bottles of water, gas masks and eye goggles. By tossing the hot tear gas cartridges into the water solution, "what they do is extinguish the pyrotechnical charge so the tear gas cannot come out anymore," said Sven Eric Jordt, a professor of anesthesiology at Duke University.
Boluarte has given strong backing to law enforcement, and the government recently announced a bonus for police officers. Boluarte has characterized the work of police controlling the Lima protests as "immaculate," despite their often indiscriminate firing of tear gas and pellets. In contrast, she says the demonstrations are violent and financed by drug-trafficking rings and illegal miners.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Peru president gives support for elections later this yearPeruvian President Dina Boluarte called on Congress Friday to approve a proposal to move elections forward to late this year, a marked concession from the leader who has been facing daily protests that have left almost 60 people dead.
Read more »
Peru bus plunges off cliff, killing at least 24At least 24 people died in northern Peru after a bus carrying 60 passengers plunged off a cliff in early on Saturday, police told local media.
Read more »
Peru bus plunges off cliff, killing at least 24At least 24 people died in northern Peru after a bus carrying 60 passengers plunged off a cliff in early on Saturday, police told local media.
Read more »
Peru’s protest ‘deactivators’ run toward tear gas to stop itWith protesters in Lima facing a nearly daily fusillade of tear gas, more people have joined the ranks of deactivators trying to shield them and keep the demonstrations going
Read more »
Peru bus plunges off cliff, killing at least 24At least 24 people died in northern Peru after a bus carrying 60 passengers plunged off a cliff in early on Saturday, police told local media.
Read more »
SEA-NL to elect new president at annual general meeting | SaltWireSeaward Enterprises Association of Newfoundland and Labrador is hosting its first general meeting in Gander next month where it will elect a new president and regional representatives.
Read more »