Students and teachers took to the streets in many parts of Chile on the day when it was to vote in the Congress in Valparasio on the Education Law. In Valparaiso, the national Congress is debating the controversial legislation, 10,000 teachers marched in peaceful demonstrations. Many of the hundreds of teachers boarded buses to protest in Valparasio but were not allow in to the public area of the Congress. " We want an equilibrium in the education system especially for the poorest, there are lots of benefits for very few and little benefits for others" says, Jaime Gajardo, president of Chile's National College of Teachers.
However in Santiago thousands of students marched from the Tobalada at 10am this morning through the Providencia neighborhood all the way to Plaza Italia to protest an education bill they say doesn't go far enough to bring equal access for all .
Education) with the "We don't like the LGE (Ley General de Education) and we want it killed in the Congress says Matias Palma (2nd picture above on the right) student from Instituto National . In 2006 was the first massive movement against the LOCE , since then they created the LGE(Ley General de Alianza por Chile and the Concentration party. After doing an analysis of the we found that their were some problems with the LGE . However the LOCE is horrible and we have seen studied it since 2006 and we have to the conclusion that we have to change it.
As many students and media continued to arrive at Plaza Italia more special forces were brought in and where ready to prevent this illegal gathering from getting out of hand. The police quickly tried to disperse the people with tear gas and water mixed with checmicals and water fromthe Mapocho river. Students retailatied by threwing rocks,blocking roads and destroying property .At least over 100 arrests where made with several youths having to seek medical attention for injuries.
Finally the important vote was suspended with no resolution until tomorrow when the Congress will try to vote again.
Story and photos by Christian Peña
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