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Hundreds arrested at Chile demo | |
(about 5 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. | |
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 day-long protest was called by Chile's largest trade union federation against free-market economic policies. | |
But it was used by many to voice their opposition to the government. | |
They marched in several cities around the country. Outside the capital they were mostly peaceful. | |
Appeal for dialogue | Appeal for dialogue |
There were clashes throughout the day in Santiago, where riot police tried to stop demonstrators moving on the government palace. | |
The marchers threw stones, while the police responded with teargas and water cannon. | |
Socialist senator Alejandro Navarro was injured. A police spokesman later apologised. | |
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. | |
Chile has one of the strongest economies in Latin America but still suffers from high unemployment and increasing poverty. | |
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. |