Public housing debtors protest 25 meters above ground

SANTIAGO.- A group of home debtors climbed a crane to hold a protest more than 25 meters in the air today in the middle of downtown in the nation's capital.

The incident began at approximately 10:00 PM last night, when members of the organization "Andha Chile a Luchar" held a protest along Alameda Avenue, in from of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (Minvu), which ended in 42 arrests (though all detained were later released).

According to Radio Cooperativa, as police were making the arrests, another five individuals associated with the group climbed up a crane. The demonstrators threatened that they would not come down from the crane until the President arrived "to keep the promise she made during her speech on May 21st, which has yet to be followed through with".

At approximately 2:00 AM, a sixth member climbed up the crane with food for the demonstrators and remained there.

"We know the risks involved in the activities that we are carrying out. But many people have died in this country for social causes and we are willing to give our lives for a solution to housing debt", stated the spokesperson for the movement, Roxana Miranda.