Student protest in Chile turns violent

Riots broke out during a protest march by thousands of students and teachers in the Chilean capital Santiago. The protesters are demanding education reforms.

The march went on peaceful until some masked demonstrators set fire to cars, raised barricades and started to throw rocks at the police. The police intervened with tear gas, used armored vehicles with water cannons and arrested 273 people, reported Dutch daily newspaper De Volkskrant today. This protest is the fifth major protest in two months. A few days ago demonstrations in the city got out of hand as well. That day 900 people were arrested.

Chilean students want more affordable higher education and they want the central government to take over the public school system. It is now the responsibility of the local authorities, which results in deep inequalities. Students and pupils refuse to attend classes and take over schools and universities.