Salvadoran Riot Police Attack Students Protesting Bus Fare Hike
Salvadoran Riot Police Attack Student Protestors, Threatening to Violate Constitution and Invade National University
Riot police have responded to what began as a peaceful student protest this morning with extreme violence and repression, and the most repressive of all of El Salvador's police forces are currently (at 3:30 pm) surrounding the National University, including with attack helicopters and snipers.
The violence began this morning when riot police tried to impede a march of high school students protesting the dramatic increase in bus fare. At some point in the march near the National University, when police tried to detain protestors, fighting broke out. Police shot rubber bullets and tear gas at the students, and shots were fired in response. The police then dramatically escalated the repression, shooting into the university both from the ground and from the helicopters overhead. There are numerous reports of deaths and injuries. According to government accounts at least two police are dead and various people are injured, including one of the university administrators. There are also reports that the police killed up to three students, and that there are 10-20 students and university workers seriously injured inside, as well as more injured police outside. This violence comes just 3 days after the torture and murders of the parents of a long time FMLN activist and community organizer. (for more information see http://www.cispes.org/english/Updates_and_Analysis/index.html).
At this moment the police are surrounding the National University and have closed down all entrances and exits. President Saca and Minister of the Interior Rene Figueroa are preparing to fragrantly violate the constitution of El Salvador by sending police in to occupy the campus, continue the violent repression, and continue with the mass round-ups. Take action to denounce this illegitimate use of force against a mostly unarmed student and university population.
Keep checking for more information and further requests for solidarity from Salvadoran students http://www.cispes.org .
Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador
130 West 29th St 9th Floor, New York, NY 10001 € 212-465-8115 € FAX: 212-465-8998 € cispes@cispes.org
Riot police have responded to what began as a peaceful student protest this morning with extreme violence and repression, and the most repressive of all of El Salvador's police forces are currently (at 3:30 pm) surrounding the National University, including with attack helicopters and snipers.
The violence began this morning when riot police tried to impede a march of high school students protesting the dramatic increase in bus fare. At some point in the march near the National University, when police tried to detain protestors, fighting broke out. Police shot rubber bullets and tear gas at the students, and shots were fired in response. The police then dramatically escalated the repression, shooting into the university both from the ground and from the helicopters overhead. There are numerous reports of deaths and injuries. According to government accounts at least two police are dead and various people are injured, including one of the university administrators. There are also reports that the police killed up to three students, and that there are 10-20 students and university workers seriously injured inside, as well as more injured police outside. This violence comes just 3 days after the torture and murders of the parents of a long time FMLN activist and community organizer. (for more information see http://www.cispes.org/english/Updates_and_Analysis/index.html).
At this moment the police are surrounding the National University and have closed down all entrances and exits. President Saca and Minister of the Interior Rene Figueroa are preparing to fragrantly violate the constitution of El Salvador by sending police in to occupy the campus, continue the violent repression, and continue with the mass round-ups. Take action to denounce this illegitimate use of force against a mostly unarmed student and university population.
Keep checking for more information and further requests for solidarity from Salvadoran students http://www.cispes.org .
Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador
130 West 29th St 9th Floor, New York, NY 10001 € 212-465-8115 € FAX: 212-465-8998 € cispes@cispes.org
posted by Alice at
Thursday, July 06, 2006
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