EL UNIVERSAL

University students who marched Thursday for freedom of expression to Caracas downtown resolved to leave after the local government authorities prevented them from getting to Caracas Square, the intended final destination.

Stalin González, the president of the Student Union, Central University of Venezuela (UCV) lamented discrimination as Thursday morning a pro-government demonstration was held with no obstacles at all.

He explained that in the face of the Caracas mayoralty denial to go from Parque Carabobo to Caracas Square, the students would hold a meeting to define upcoming actions.

The students arrived in Parque Carabobo, downtown Caracas, as the final destination, according to local government authorities.

However, the students claimed that two days ago they had been granted a permit to reach Caracas Square.

At the same distance away as the Attorney General Office, demonstrators found a police cordon that prevented them from going farther. They resolved to appoint a commission to talk with the police authorities and try to get clearance through Caracas Square.

Students claimed that they were marching precisely for freedom of expression anywhere. Therefore, preventing them from reaching their intended final destination was not fair.

Metropolitan Police chief Giovanny Abarca, the director of the security operation, noted that the police was responsible only to ensure security of the march within the track limits.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Thursday a march for "national rapprochement," convened by students from several national universities.a march for "national rapprochement," started from Brión Square, eastern Caracas.

Earlier, Libertador mayor Freddy Bernal had reported that the demonstration should go no farther than Parque Carabobo.

Multiple representative students expressed disagreement with the mayor's move, particularly because clearance has been requested two days in advance.

At 1:30 p.m., the demonstration spread over Francisco Solano Avenue, with many students still leaving Brión Square.

"We wonder who is manipulating us, because we are students on our own initiative," students chanted.

The young demonstrators were pondering talks with the authorities in order to reach Caracas Square, and they disregarded the mayor's allegation, according to which could not go there because street vendors were working on site.

Translated by Conchita Delgado
cdelgado@elunversal.com