Chile, in the square for the public school
clashes with the police, over 500 arrests

SANTIAGO DE CHILE – More funds for public schools: the student demonstration, degenerated into clashes with the police in various Chilean cities, ended with over 550 arrests. A substantial number especially if we consider that the demonstrations were attended by no more than five thousand people.

Among the policemen 29 wounded, of which one “in serious condition”. Deputy Interior Minister Rodrigo Ubilla also said that there were no “civilians injured”. Most of the arrests (284) took place in Santiago.

The day of mobilization, the eighth since the beginning of the protests in May, was by far the most violent, but also the least attended. In June there were demonstrations with up to 80,000 people.

Students and teachers, who are asking for the increase of funds for public and higher schools, had announced two events. The government had not authorized these marches, a ban seen as a “provocation” by the protesters.

(05 August 2011)