홍콩, 레바논, 칠레,...세계 시위의 공통점은?
In the last few months, international media has been bombarded with protests that breaking out across the world.
On top of the coincidental timing, the movements seem to have various elements in common.
Lee Kyung-eun reports.
In Hong Kong, mass protests have taken over the streets for a record 22nd consecutive week.
And similar scene is unfolding in other parts of the world, from Chile to Lebanon, and from Iraq to Spain.
They all have distinct causes, methods and goals.
But they are occuring against the common backdrop inequality, with many of the protestors being economic and political minorities.
Consider Chile the worst nationwide protest in decades was triggered by a four-cent hike in subway fares.
Those four cents were the breaking point for low-income households, who spend roughly 30 percent of their income on transportation.
Also, the hike also brought to the fore people's wider grievances over living costs and inequality in the country.
Chile is one of the wealthiest countries in Latin America but also one of the most unequal countries in the OECD 1 percent of the population controls 27 percent of the wealth, while the poorer half have only 2 percent.
The riots in Lebanon broke out in a similar context.
The government's planned tax on the internet-based calling service WhatsApp posed a direct threat to people who use it as a substitute for the expensive regular phone service.
Also, in Hong Kong, many experts blame young people's long-held frustrations over inequality, most apparent in the city's housing prices, the highest in the world.
They say that's why the protests have continued despite the scrapping of the extradition bill that first ignited the movement.
This common struggle between ordinary people and elites has led to a particular scene popping up again and again in these protests around the globe.
Artists and protestors wear costumes, make-up and masks inspired by the main character in the movie "Joker."
Reports say protesters resonate with the isolated, powerless man who hates the wealthy elite,... saying they live in the fictional city of Gotham where crime and injustice prevail.
On top of these same voices and visuals, the protesters also share the unbending spirit to march on, even if it takes immense sacrifices.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
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