Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Venezuelans march over schools law, police use gas
| International
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
International
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Venezuelans march over schools law, police use gas
Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:04pm EDT
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
CARACAS (Reuters) - Thousands of Venezuelans joined rival marches in Caracas on Saturday over a controversial education law that critics say strengthens President Hugo Chavez's grip over schools and universities.
Police fired tear gas when government opponents knocked over a fence marking the end of the authorized route.
A few thousand, many dressed in white, streamed down one of Caracas's main avenues to protest the law while red-clad government supporters danced to salsa music in the city center in support of a law they say will boost access to schooling.
A previous attempt to overhaul education was one of the factors that provoked giant protests in 2002, eventually culminating in a failed coup attempt against Chavez.
"We have to fight for this country and for our children," said one middle-aged woman shrouded in tear gas at the protest who was interviewed on the Globovision television station.
The new law, passed last week, allows community councils that are often pro-government a larger role in the operations of schools and universities. It also calls for the education system to be guided by the "Bolivarian doctrine."
Simon Bolivar freed several countries from the Spanish empire in the early 19th century. Socialist Chavez describes his own government as a "Bolivarian revolution" and critics say the law will lead to ideological education inspired by communist Cuba.
The government says the law will ensure fairer access to education in the OPEC nation and guarantee free thinking.
Some opposition marchers carried placards that read: "I can't stand your Cuban law."
Chavez is committed to strengthening the state in most areas of life in South America's top oil exporters. He is rushing through over a dozen laws to regulate the economy, the workplace and trade, taking advantage of a weak opposition.
The law was passed last week after small groups of protesters clashed with police who used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse them. A group of journalist protesting the law were severely beaten, apparently by Chavez supporters.
Sensitive to possible violence, the government made sure the routes of two marches did not cross and the interior minister said on Friday alcohol and guns were not permitted.
Venezuela has lax gun laws and it is common for shots to be fired at protests.
Roman Catholic church and university authorities have opposed the law. The church says it will lead to less religious teaching and remove the state's obligation to subsidize private, church-run schools in poor neighborhoods.
University and private school authorities fear it will boost government influence by involving grass-roots community councils, often loyal to Chavez, in their operations.
News companies complain the law includes an article obliging schools to teach children to criticize the media.
(Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel, editing by Alan Elsner)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
Yahoo!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
UPDATE 1-Venezuelans march over schools law, police use gas
Also on Reuters
Obama to raise 10-year deficit to $9 trillion
German politicians blast GM for delaying Opel deal
Oracle cuts CEO's base salary to $1
More International News
Gaddafi hugs Lockerbie bomber; Britain denies deal
| Video
Afghan election fair, but not free: EU
| Video
Hurricane Bill races north, eastern Canada on alert
Iran clerics oppose Ahmadinejad on women ministers
North Korea envoys to meet South's president
More International News...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
Obama to raise 10-year deficit to $9 trillion
Tarantino digs into record collection for "Basterds"
Woman sues zoo over splashing dolphins
Woman wants public caning for drinking beer
Bill brushes Bermuda, on path off U.S. East Coast
Hurricane Bill races north, eastern Canada on alert
Apple says Google Voice app alters iPhone
Don't get too excited about markets, it's August
Senator seeks data on health insurer profits
Obama again tackles "myths" on healthcare reform
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Awaiting Afghan results
Freed Lockerbie bomber meets Gaddafi
Brazil sends waste back to Britain
A Peruvian pet's strange tale
Maoists attack Indian coal reserve
Hijackers fly to detention in Moscow
Rally drivers hits horse at speed
For his eyes only
Suicide blasts hit Chechnya
Thai elephant given prosthetic leg
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
Today on Reuters
"Terrorist" targets popular at West Bank gun range
Sharon Gat teaches a two-hour defense course for security-conscious tourists in the West Bank. Not everyone thinks this is a healthy idea, including his customers. Full Article
Blog: Photo Tales from the Holyland
West Bank youth on "Birthright" tour
Fourteen-year-old Jum'a Ismail lives 30 miles from the Mediterranean but had never seen the sea or an Israeli civilian until embarking on a tour taking Palestinian refugee children to Israel to visit the villages of their ancestors. Full Article
Blog: West Bank protests against Israeli barrier
Makeshift repairs not enough for battered Gaza
Frustrated by the lack of outside help, the Islamist group Hamas has begun repairing roads in Gaza using cement and tar smuggled through a network of tunnels under the border with Egypt. Full Article
Factbox: Palestinian Islamist groups in Gaza Strip
Blog: Clash of Islamists the talk of Gaza
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Labs |
Journalism Handbook |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Sunday, 23 August 2009 Iran clerics oppose Ahmadinejad on women ministers
Russia dam disaster death toll rises to 66
Homes of former Porsche executives searched: report
Reporter's family reunion in Iraq is reality check
More relay woe for United States
Iraq's Maliki pledges victory amid criticism
Iran clerics oppose Ahmadinejad on women ministers
| International
|
Long's sportsmanship was not case of race, says son
South Sudan accuses north of arming southern civilians, militias
Iraq's Maliki pledges victory amid criticism
| International
|
Iraq minister suspects security forces role in blasts
Nigeria rebel group to resume attacks, ends talks
| International
|
Venezuelans march over schools law, police use gas
| International
|
Pakistan suicide bomber blows self up during raid
Official says Iranian guards kill 2 Pakistanis
Report: Pakistani Taliban choose new leader
North Korean envoys to meet South's President Lee
Report: Hakimullah new head of Pakistani Taliban
Urban schools use marketing to woo residents back
Obama to health care critics: end `phony claims'
AP NewsAlert
Post-affair Ensign gets mixed results in Nevada
4 dead in latest violence in southern Thailand
India to let landlocked Nepal use second port
Gay clergy: Where large Protestant churches stand
Prosecutor: Neb. man stole painting for abortion
China says 2 environment officials investigated
Rioting inmates set central Ky. prison ablaze
Tips for reducing the chance a dog will bite
Change of venue court cases are extremely rare
Lutheran gay clergy vote tests mainline churches
Ga. dog pack shows fine line between pet, predator
Rival Koreas meet ahead of state funeral
| International
|
Russia dam disaster death toll up to 69: rescuers
Smartphones drive language learning innovation
Swiss size up hole in iconic banking secrecy
Afghan polls lay hope for power of ballot box
Triple gold for Bolt as Kenya trump Ethiopia
Vatican deplores indifference to migrants after more deaths
Japan opposition wary of polls showing a landslide
| International
|
US notifying Red Cross of jailed militants: report
Australia sprays oil slick amid wildlife fears
| International
|
King calls for unity in polarized Thailand
| International
|
Iraqis facing more deadly attacks says foreign minister
Weaker Hurricane Bill moves towards eastern Canada
| International
|
Iraqis begin restoring concrete walls in Baghdad
Argentine outrage as Iran names terror suspect as minister
Apple says Google Voice app alters iPhone
| Technology
|
Sean Kingston album gets fans online with karaoke
| Technology
|
Weaker Hurricane Bill heads for US, Canada coasts
China drought leaves 5 million short of water
CIA report has new details of prisoner abuse
HK protesters demand release of Chinese dissident
N. Korea delegation meets with S. Korean president
Lawyers can question 9/11 suspect in writing
World economy on rebound, but future uncertain
State funeral for ex-SKorean President Kim begins
Water project adds to Taiwan leader's typhoon woes
FBI director outraged by Lockerbie bomber release
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,334
China arrests 15,000 drink-drivers in a week: report
Elizabeth Edwards opens furniture store in NC
King calls for unity in polarised Thailand
Global Weather-Celsius
AP sources: Internal report tells of CIA methods
NKorea leader Kim sends message to SKorea president
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Swine flu looms over global economic recovery
Global brands turn to China's young amid slump
Robin Williams says he is a work-in-progress dad
| Entertainment
|
Sean Kingston album gets fans online with karaoke
| Entertainment
|
Police scour Canada for millionaire murder suspect
Porn makers challenged for not mandating condoms
Guitarist James Burton fails to set world record
Europe's biggest jackpot finds a winner
US Evangelical Lutherans accept 'committed' gay clergy
Israel pushes Sweden to condemn 'anti-Semitic' story
Italian, French aircraft to join Greek fire effort
Germany ramps up pressure on GM over Opel
Afghan challenger says election widely rigged
| International
|
Pakistan Taliban name new leader but doubts remain
| International
|
More than 200 claims of irregularities in Afghan vote
Proud Scots feel heat over Libyan bomber's release
| International
|
Fresh attack hits northern Afghanistan: govt
Cuba publishes photo of fit-looking Fidel Castro
| International
|
Report: No sign of West Bank settlement slowdown
British military procurement flawed: report
Greek wildfire near Athens spreads, thousands flee
| International
|
Iraq intelligence chief retired before major blasts
| International
|
Settlements seen clouding Netanyahu Europe trip
| International
|
Egypt tries 26 men seen with Hezbollah links
| International
|
Madagascar's leaders committed to power-sharing
| International
|
South Korea holds state funeral for Kim Dae-jung
McCain refuses to consider taxes to reduce deficit
Dispute threatens talks to end Filipino rebellion
McCain: Obama must drop 'public option'
McCain: Health debate hurt by Kennedy's absence
Rare tiger killed, body stolen from Indonesian zoo
Obama vacation takeoff delayed by Hurricane Bill
US notifying Red Cross of jailed militants: report
Japan PM says forecast of election loss premature
Excited locals await Obamas at vacation spot
China legal activist freed, but may face tax case
Afghan commission: fraud filings could sway vote
Australian oil well to gush for nearly two months
New Pakistan Taliban leader ruthless
Japan PM frontrunner vows to cut public debt
Japan opposition wary of polls showing a landslide
Foreign direct investment plans in S. Korea jump
Rising poverty looms large in Japan's election
Bangladeshi firms seek to shed 'sweatshop' label
Diamond mining is not forever, SAfrica learns
Suspicion undermines DR Congo relief workers
New York painter barks for art
Europe's top tourist venues hit by economic crisis
The charm of the Mini rolls on at 50
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights