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Many Quake Victims Were Children, Parents Protest

By Associated Press

Many families are left reeling because of China's strict one-child-per-family rule. Nearly 7,000 schoolrooms were destroyed by the quake. Communist leaders are asking parents not to continue protests. Many Quake Victims Were Children, Parents Protest

Published: Mon, May 26, 2008 - 8:31 pm Last Updated: Mon, May 26, 2008 - 8:36 pm

ANXIAN, China (AP) - Many of the earthquake disaster victims in
central China were children. And, because of the country's
one-child policy, many of them left behind no siblings.
But officials say there are exceptions to China's strict
one-child policy.
Officials in the capital of Sichuan province say families whose
child was killed, severely injured or disabled in the quake can get
a certificate to have another child.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry says it will investigate
whether flawed school construction contributed to collapses. Nearly
7,000 schoolrooms were destroyed while school was in session.
Parents at several schools have held protests, defying the
government's general disapproval of such demonstrations.
The Communist Party secretary in one city pleaded with
protesting parents not to complain to higher authorities. Despite
his pleas, the parents of the 127 children who died kept marching
yesterday, and eventually met with higher officials.
A local newspaper says they were told the government would
investigate.