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Hundreds arrested at Chile demo Clashes erupt at Chilean protests
(about 9 hours later)
More than 400 people have been arrested after police using tear gas and water cannon clashed with demonstrators in the Chilean capital, Santiago. More than 450 people have been arrested after police using tear gas and water cannon clashed with protesters in the Chilean capital, Santiago.
The worst clashes occurred as marchers tried to approach the government palace, La Moneda. Among the 100 or so injured was a socialist senator. The worst violence broke out when police tried to prevent demonstrators marching on the presidential palace.
The day-long protest was called by Chile's largest trade union federation against free-market economic policies. Dozens of people were injured, among them a socialist senator.
But it was used by many to voice their opposition to the government. The main trade union federation called the protest, saying the government's free market economic policies have meant poorer conditions for workers.
They marched in several cities around the country. Outside the capital they were mostly peaceful. Demonstrations took place in several cities around Chile, but outside the capital they were mostly peaceful.
Appeal for dialogueAppeal for dialogue
There were clashes throughout the day in Santiago, where riot police tried to stop demonstrators moving on the government palace. There were clashes throughout the day in Santiago, where riot police tried to stop demonstrators moving on the government palace, La Moneda.
The marchers threw stones, while the police responded with teargas and water cannon.The marchers threw stones, while the police responded with teargas and water cannon.
Socialist senator Alejandro Navarro was injured. A police spokesman later apologised. Local television showed Socialist Senator Alejandro Navarro with blood streaming from a head wound after he was struck by a police officer. A police spokesman later apologised.
Trade union leaders promised to continue their protests.
"We're going to continue behaving badly as long as there is injustice in this country. We're happy people are here because it means Chile is defending itself." said Maria Rozas, vice-president of the trade union federation, CUT.
President Michelle Bachelet said there was space within Chilean democracy for people to express their demands but it should be done peacefully.President Michelle Bachelet said there was space within Chilean democracy for people to express their demands but it should be done peacefully.
Democracy, she added, did not need disorder and violence.Democracy, she added, did not need disorder and violence.
Chile has one of the strongest economies in Latin America but still suffers from high unemployment and increasing poverty. Chile has one of the strongest economies in Latin America and has one of the lowest poverty levels in the region.
The popularity of President Bachelet's government has slumped, with Chileans regularly taking to the streets to demonstrate, among other things, against unemployment, the education system and poor public transport. The BBC's Horacio Brum in Santiago says about three million workers, roughly half the workforce, earn the minimum age of $260 (£130) a month.
"But a family of four, without thinking of pension plans and health insurance etc, needs about $1000 to $1,500 a month to live comfortably."
The popularity of President Bachelet's government has slumped in recent months, with Chileans taking to the streets to demonstrate, among other things, against unemployment, the education system and poor public transport.