16 arrested at Seremi Education Office protest

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SANTIAGO. -  A demonstration held by a group of 15 students on the second floor of the Regional Ministerial Secretariat of Education building ended at approximately 11:40 AM today, resulting in a total of 16 arrests.

The protest began at approximately 9:10 AM, when 15 students opened banners and stood on the ledge of the building demanding: an end to the sostenedor system, elimination of shared funding, an end to the municipal control over schools, as well as to LOCE, a law passed under Pinochet that puts the educational system into a free market framework. 

Demonstrators also demanded an elimination of higher education fees, free education at every level, a free school bus-pass and public state transportation.  Additionally, the group spoke out against juvenile legal penalties.

All of the protesters were detained by police special forces, which arrived at the public office to break up the demonstration.  Police officers also arrested a minor girl outside of the Seremi office for speaking out against law-enforcement efforts.