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Student protests turn violent in Chile capital Santiago Student protests turn violent in Chile capital Santiago
(about 1 hour later)
Students and police have clashed in the Chilean capital, Santiago, during the latest protest over education reform.Students and police have clashed in the Chilean capital, Santiago, during the latest protest over education reform.
Police used tear gas and water cannon against masked protesters who set up barricades and threw petrol bombs.Police used tear gas and water cannon against masked protesters who set up barricades and threw petrol bombs.
With more demonstrations planned for Wednesday, the government has said it will invoke an emergency security law to help quell the violence.With more demonstrations planned for Wednesday, the government has said it will invoke an emergency security law to help quell the violence.
The protest movement - which started in May - is the biggest in Chile since the return to democracy in 1990.The protest movement - which started in May - is the biggest in Chile since the return to democracy in 1990.
The students, backed by teachers and trade unions, called the latest two-day national strike after talks with the government broke down earlier this month.The students, backed by teachers and trade unions, called the latest two-day national strike after talks with the government broke down earlier this month.
'Too much hate''Too much hate'
The violence began early on Tuesday as protesters set up burning barricades on several main avenues across the capital, blocking rush hour traffic.The violence began early on Tuesday as protesters set up burning barricades on several main avenues across the capital, blocking rush hour traffic.
Masked assailants set fire to a city bus, and police raided university buildings in pursuit of suspects.Masked assailants set fire to a city bus, and police raided university buildings in pursuit of suspects.
More than 60 people were arrested, police said.More than 60 people were arrested, police said.
Interior minister Rodrigo Hintzpeter said those responsible for the bus attack would be prosecuted under the rarely-used Law of State Security, which allows tougher sentences for violent offenders.Interior minister Rodrigo Hintzpeter said those responsible for the bus attack would be prosecuted under the rarely-used Law of State Security, which allows tougher sentences for violent offenders.
"We have seen too much violence, too much senseless destruction, too much hate," he said."We have seen too much violence, too much senseless destruction, too much hate," he said.
Chile's high school and university students want major reforms to the country's education system, which is heavily reliant on private funding.Chile's high school and university students want major reforms to the country's education system, which is heavily reliant on private funding.
Nearly 40% of all education spending here comes not from the state, but from the pockets of ordinary Chileans in the form of tuition fees. That is the highest rate anywhere in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).Nearly 40% of all education spending here comes not from the state, but from the pockets of ordinary Chileans in the form of tuition fees. That is the highest rate anywhere in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Talks between the two sides broke down this month and there is no sign of a resolution. Indeed, positions appear to be hardening.Talks between the two sides broke down this month and there is no sign of a resolution. Indeed, positions appear to be hardening.
The protests are becoming more violent, and the government says it will not tolerate the almost weekly vandalism inflicted on the capital city.The protests are becoming more violent, and the government says it will not tolerate the almost weekly vandalism inflicted on the capital city.
PlebiscitePlebiscite
Student leaders have condemned the violence and say it is not related to their movement for educational reform.Student leaders have condemned the violence and say it is not related to their movement for educational reform.
Representatives of the movement went to the heavily guarded presidential palace to present an unofficial plebiscite on their demand for educational reform.Representatives of the movement went to the heavily guarded presidential palace to present an unofficial plebiscite on their demand for educational reform.
More than 1.5 million people took part in the plebiscite, with 88.7% voting in favour of free, public, high quality education, the organisers said.More than 1.5 million people took part in the plebiscite, with 88.7% voting in favour of free, public, high quality education, the organisers said.
Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded.Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded.
They want the central government to take full control of education and increase spending on public schools and universities.They want the central government to take full control of education and increase spending on public schools and universities.
President Sebastian Pinera has responded by promising limited reforms and around $4bn (£2.6bn) in extra funding.President Sebastian Pinera has responded by promising limited reforms and around $4bn (£2.6bn) in extra funding.
On Tuesday he approved a law increasing subsidies for children from poor backgrounds attending private schools.On Tuesday he approved a law increasing subsidies for children from poor backgrounds attending private schools.
But he has categorically rejected calls for full state control and free education.But he has categorically rejected calls for full state control and free education.
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