Chile’s Boric pardons 12 convicted after 2019 protests

Chile’s President Gabriel Boric on Friday pardoned 12 people connected with widespread protests against inequality in 2019 that left more than 30 dead.
Political factions and organizations had called for the release of the people connected to violent protests that shook the South American country. As a candidate, Boric had talked about pardoning some of those convicted for less violent crimes after the protests.
The list of those pardoned included men between the ages of 21 and 38 involved in various crimes such as looting, robbery, handling Molotov cocktails, and others.
The move was celebrated by political allies with senator Fabiola Campillai, who was blinded during the protests before running for office, calling it a “humanitarian act.”
Political opponents decried the move.