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GV Teachers march down La Paz street.
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GV PAN Security forces in riot gear walk up street towards demonstrators firing tear gas grenades into crowd. (2 SHOTS)
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GV & SV Crowds disperse as tear gas spreads and security forces fire gas grenades into buildings to clear demonstrators. (3 SHOTS)
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LV (TOP SHOT) ZOOM IN TO GV Troops and their cannon drive through streets to major gathering of demonstrators. Security forces disembark and fire tear gas as water cannon is used to break up crowds. (3 SHOTS)
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A demonstration by Bolivian teachers in support of higher pay turned into pitched street battles on Wednesday (21 April) as riot police using tear gas and water cannon tried to disperse the crowds. The teachers had planned a silent protest march in support of a higher wage demand. The march started peacefully as over one-hundred thousand school, college, university teachers and supporters took to the streets of Bolivia's capital, La Paz. They were met by hundreds of riot police with water cannon. The police continually charged the crowds firing tear gas grenades. Bolivia's sixty-three thousand teachers have been on indefinite strike since 11 April after refusing a government wages offer. The teachers' leader, German Barriga, has warned the government they may face a hunger strike by teachers if their demands are not met.