excessive

Santiago, Chile – Gabriel del Campo said he was peacefully protesting in the small square of a quiet Santiago neighbourhood last week when things quickly turned violent.

“It was very peaceful. Lots of families,” he told Al Jazeera, adding they were taking part in a “cacerolazo”, a non-violent form of protest where crowds bang pots and pans.

Before long, police forcefully entered into the crowd, throwing tear gas, he said.

“There were children, babies – I was next to an old man with a walking stick” he added.

To protect those around him, Del Campo said he kicked a smoking