21 September 2011

BOLIVIA : 25 Sept UPDATE: Highway Protesters Break Police Blockade; Take ForMin. Hostage.

                                          LINK CHANGE / AFP

     Hundreds of Amazon indigena nearing La Paz...after walking for weeks and 310 miles...in a protest against a road thru their lands...were met by a police blockade and tear gas...as they feared.
     But they broke thru after several days...by temporarily taking Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca (above) hostage.
     He had come to negotiate with the marchers...but was used as a "human shield"...and forced to walk for about 4 hours and 10 kms.
    President Evo Morales continues promoting the road's completion...despite the contention that it will destroy the very environment he says he wants to protect...and further alienate his indigena supporters.


NEW!!! 1:46 ALJAZEERA video report of march and human shield:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jbeo6-98wc&feature=player_embedded#!