Chile student unrest becomes water fight.
More clashes between the police and students in Chile - this time by a Santiago river.
Students, who are demanding an overhaul of Chile's education system, get into the Mapocho river as part of their protest.
Police, who initially tried to negotiate with the students, resort to pulling them out, finally arresting thirty.
Student leaders accused the police of excessive force.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ALFREDO VIELMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR STUDENTS, SAYING:
"They told us there were thirty-five comrades arrested and it seems to us very violent. We saw them hit our comrades. We saw them drag the girls by their hair and not to mention they beat them on the police bus."
But a police commander said they were obliged to keep the students safe.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARIO ROSAS, POLICE COMMANDER, SAYING:
"When we realized they were minors, we had the legal obligation to keep them physically safe and insure they were rescued, especially if it's a minor at risk."
Talks between students and government officials to end the month-long protests have so far been fruitless.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
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Students, who are demanding an overhaul of Chile's education system, get into the Mapocho river as part of their protest.
Police, who initially tried to negotiate with the students, resort to pulling them out, finally arresting thirty.
Student leaders accused the police of excessive force.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ALFREDO VIELMA, SPOKESPERSON FOR STUDENTS, SAYING:
"They told us there were thirty-five comrades arrested and it seems to us very violent. We saw them hit our comrades. We saw them drag the girls by their hair and not to mention they beat them on the police bus."
But a police commander said they were obliged to keep the students safe.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MARIO ROSAS, POLICE COMMANDER, SAYING:
"When we realized they were minors, we had the legal obligation to keep them physically safe and insure they were rescued, especially if it's a minor at risk."
Talks between students and government officials to end the month-long protests have so far been fruitless.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
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