Hundreds of mostly young protesters clashed with police in Lima on Saturday (September 20), as demonstrations against President Dina Boluarte’s government turned violent.

Police used tear gas and shields to push back crowds in Plaza San Martin, where protesters had gathered to reject recent pension reforms and decry rising crime rates.

The so-called “Generation Z March” was organized by students and activists, who accused the government of failing to address insecurity and economic precarity while using excessive force during past protests.

Protesters also carried symbols of resistance, including a flag from the manga “One Piece,” which has been adopted in other global protests during the summer of 2025.

The demonstrations come as Boluarte’s administration faces ongoing criticism for its handling of public security and economic policies, with similar protests expected to continue on Sunday (September 21).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

LIMA, PERU (SEPTEMBER 20, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. (NIGHT SHOT) PROTESTERS THROWING STICKS AND STONES AT POLICE OFFICERS STANDING BEHIND BARRIER

2. (NIGHT SHOT) POLICE OFFICERS LAUNCHING TEAR GAS CANISTERS AT PROTESTERS

3. (NIGHT SHOT) PROTESTERS RUNNING AWAY FROM TEAR GAS SMOKE

4. (NIGHT SHOT) RIOT POLICE OFFICERS STANDING IN FORMATION TO ADVANCE AS PROTESTERS THROW PROJECTILE

5. (NIGHT SHOT) RIOT POLICE OFFICERS LAUNCHING TEAR GAS CANISTER WHILE STANDING IN FORMATION

6. (NIGHT SHOT) PROTESTERS PICKING UP TEAR GAS CANISTERS TO THROW THEM BACK AT POLICE

7. (NIGHT SHOT) RIOT POLICE OFFICERS CHARGING WITH SHIELDS

8. PROTESTERS IN CENTRAL LIMA SQUARE

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) UNIVERSITY STUDENT, DIEGO (LAST NAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING:

"We young people, even older folks, are here outraged by the insecurity, crime, and contract killings. Look around—so many police, but all they do is intimidate and repress. When we ask them to protect ordinary citizens from crime, none of them show up."

10. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS PUSHING AGAINST RIOT POLICE

11. PROTESTERS MARCHING WITH A FLAG BEARING SYMBOL FROM THE MANGA "ONE PIECE" (Ed’s note: the ‘One Piece’ flag became a symbol of the ‘GenZ’ protesters during the summer of 2025 during the protests in Indonesia and Nepal)

12. PROTESTERS IN MAIN SQUARE