Student protests in Chile

Riot police stand covered with paint thrown by demonstrators trying to reach La Moneda presidential palace on the second day of a national strike in Santiago on August 25, 2011.(Victor R. Caivano/AP) # 
Student protests in Chile

The ongoing student demonstrations in Chile began as a protest over the costs, profits, and fairness of higher education there.

People carry the Chilean flag during a rally to demand changes in the public state education system in Valparaiso, Chile on August 9, 2011. (Eliseo Fernandez/Reuters) #

They have since attracted other segments of Chilean society venting frustration over wages, health care, and other issues. 

Chile's student leader Camila Vallejo speaks to reporters at La Moneda government palace after holding a meeting with Chile's President Sebastian Pinera in Santiago on September 3, 2011. (Roberto Candia/AP) #

Uniting the protesters is common dissatisfaction with hugely unpopular President Sebastian Pinera and social inequality.

A protester holds up an image mocking Chile's President Sebastian Pinera as demonstrators march toward La Moneda presidential palace on the second day of a national strike in Santiago on August 25, 2011. (Victor R. Caivano/AP) #

Workers joined a 48-hour general strike in August which, like many demonstrations during the course of the protests, was met with police using tear gas and water cannons on the participants.

Students in body paint shout slogans against Chile's government as part of a rally to demand changes to the public state education system in Santiago September 2, 2011. (Carlos Vera/Reuters) #

With changes in the education system still unsettled, the student protests are likely to continue. Chileans yesterday celebrated their national independence day

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