:: The Rational Radical Blog ::

Monday, June 06, 2005

Bolivian Offers Reform Plan to Protesters Seeking Autonomy

The decree did not appear to pacify demonstrators.

Indian groups, labor federations and antiglobalization organizations demanding state control of the energy industry and a new constitution continued blocking Bolivia's highways on Friday. La Paz, the commercial capital, remained isolated.

"This decree has no head or feet," Julio Pabón, a leader of Fejuve, a leading antiglobalization group, said by telephone from El Alto, an indigenous city just southwest of La Paz. "It just tries to distract the marches we have going on all over Bolivia. We will continue. We have a full blockade on."

...Much of the anger has been directed at Congress, which is seen as corrupt and beholden to Bolivia's elite and multinational corporations. Waves of protesters have repeatedly tried to take control of Congress in recent days.

...The anger against the elite has been palpable in Bolivia. Indian demonstrators have gone so far as to throw rocks at shops in affluent districts and rip ties off of businessmen they accuse of being part of the white elite.

May such militant action against the forces of starvation and exploitation be underaken all over the world! AMEN to that.

UPDATE: More late-breaking, good news: Bolivian president plans resignation

Jack Clark 7:34 PM [+]   
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