AMERICA/CHILE - Two students die during the protests; the Church appeals for non-violence

Valparaiso (Agenzia Fides) - Strong condemnation and an appeal to reflect on the seriousness of what happened has been expressed by the Catholic Church following the killing of the two students: Exequiel Borvarán Salinas (18) and Diego Guzman Farias (24), on May 14 during a protest march in Valparaiso.
"It is a real tragedy", said Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, President of the Episcopal Conference of Chile in a note sent to Fides from Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), where he is participating in the General Assembly of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM).
"I express my firm condemnation regarding the violent incident", said the Archbishop of Santiago who then asked for "the gift of peace".
According to information gathered by Fides, during a student protest in Valparaíso, two boys were killed while they were drawing graffiti on a wall. A 22-year-old, owner of the building on which the boys were writing, was accused of the murder.
On May 14 protests were held across the country for the reform of the school system. The protesters are asking the government to bring to an end the promised reforms regarding the education system. (See Fides 29/01/2015, 19/11/2014). The Chilean student movement has been asking for a reform of the school since 2011.
Currently only elementary school is free in the country, all other levels of education are financed only 25 percent from public resources. This is why most students must take out loans to finish studying and go to university. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 16/05/2015)