MANILA, Philippines, July 23 (UPI) -- Thousands protested the government's perceived failure to help laborers, and scores were injured in Manila, Philippines, officials said Monday.
About 5,000 students and peasants were in the demonstration, and some burned effigies of President Benigno Aquino III and Uncle Sam, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said. The report said they were stopped from getting near the Batasang Pambansa, the National Assembly.
The newspaper said 6,000 police, fire trucks and steel barricades blocked protesters.
The demonstration was led by the leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or Bayan.
The Inquirer said a scuffle broke out when a group led by the militant League of Filipino Students tried to break through the police line.
Bayan said 95 protesters, mostly students, were hurt, and 11 of those injured required treatment, while the Philippine National Red Cross reported 16 injuries. Police said some officers, two television crews and a garbage truck driver were injured.
The newspaper said Bayan demonstrations of varying size were conducted peacefully in provincial capitals.
