Chile Students Occupy Senate Headquarters: Photos of the Occupation

University and secondary school students flooded in the Senate Headquarters during the education budget committee meeting and occupied the Senate office building Thursday for eight hours to demand a referendum on how to resolve Chile's social problems, especially education.

Students have been boycotting classes and mounting demonstrations for nearly six months pushing their demand that the government make extensive changes in Chile's education system, including making public schools free for everyone, they also demand state subsidies for private colleges reduced.

The occupation came just hours after riot police evicted protesters from galleries at the Congress building in Chile's port city of Valparaiso.

Police sealed off the building with metal barriers to keep more demonstrators from entering and faced off with a crowd of about 600 protesters holding signs demanding "Free Education" and "Referendum Now." A few dozen activists tried to force their way in but were driven back by water cannons.

Students protests have won have won sympathy for the students from about 80 percent of the population, according to opinion polls. At the same time, President Sebastian Pinera's support has dropped to between 20 percent and 30 percent.

The protesters finally agreed to leave the building after talking with opposition senators and representatives who agreed to introduce legislation for holding a referendum.

Students take a rest during their protest inside the Senate headquarters in Santiago October 20, 2011. Students occupied the Senate headquarters in Santiago demanding free and better state education, as well as for an end to profit-making in the public education system.

Students attemp to enter the Senate headquarters in Santiago October 20, 2011. Students occupied the Senate headquarters in Santiago demanding free and better state education, as well as for an end to profit-making in the public education system.

Demonstrators are hit by a jet of water released from a riot police vehicle during a protest in Santiago October 20, 2011. Students occupied the Senate headquarters in Santiago demanding free and better state education, as well as for an end to profit-making in the public education system.

Demonstrators are hit by a jet of water released from a riot police vehicle during a protest in Santiago October 20, 2011. Students occupied the Senate headquarters in Santiago demanding free and better state education, as well as for an end to profit-making in the public education system.

Demonstrators are hit by a jet of water released from a riot police vehicle during a protest in Santiago October 20, 2011. Students occupied the Senate headquarters in Santiago demanding free and better state education, as well as for an end to profit-making in the public education system.

Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in Santiago October 20, 2011. Students occupied the Senate headquaters in Santiago demanding free and better state education, as well as for an end to profit-making in the public education system.

Students are arrested after occupying the Senate headquarters in Santiago October 20, 2011.

Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in Santiago October 20, 2011. Students occupied the Senate headquarters in Santiago demanding free and better state education, as well as for an end to profit-making in the public education system

Students, citizens and environment activists take part in a rally as they hold up a banner that reads "Mothers in the rally are beating, no more repression" as Education Minister Felipe Bulnes (sit C) attends a national education budget meeting at a National Congress venue in Santiago October 20, 2011.

Students, citizens and environment activists take part in a rally as they hold up a banner that reads "Plebiscite now" as Education Minister Felipe Bulnes (seated L) attends a national education budget meeting at the National Congress venue at Santiago October 20, 2011.