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Student Protesters, Police Clash in Chile


Protestors throw stones at police as during a demonstration where thousands of students gathered to demand fundamental changes in education policies in Santiago, Chile, September 22, 2011.
Protestors throw stones at police as during a demonstration where thousands of students gathered to demand fundamental changes in education policies in Santiago, Chile, September 22, 2011.

Thousands of student demonstrators calling for education reform in Chile clashed with riot police on Thursday in the capital of Santiago.

Police fought off protesters with tear gas and arrested several of the students, who were participating in a march from the University of Santiago to the presidential palace.

For months, high school and university student protesters have taken to the streets, complaining of what they see as the high cost and low standards of education in Chile.

The latest demonstration comes after a breakdown in talks between the government and student groups.

Protesters want the government to increase funding for public education and freeze education bills now in the Chilean congress. But Chilean government officials say they have already been "flexible" and refuse to meet all the student's demands.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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