SANTIAGO, Chile — Dozens of protesting students are voluntarily leaving the Senate headquarters they had seized to demand a popular referendum on how to resolve Chile’s social problems, especially education.
The students are leaving after receiving a promise from opposition lawmakers to present a proposal to hold a plebiscite.
The students and other protesters had interrupted a Senate committee meeting Thursday to demand the referendum. Three youths climbed atop the committee room’s table and unfurled a sign reading “Plebiscite now” as Education Minister Felipe Bulnes and others participating in the hearing hurriedly left.
The protesters then occupied the Senate headquarters and transmitted the situation live over the Internet by webcam.
Denver Post wire services
