Protests, Bolivian-style

There were supposed to be 2 big marches today, one made up of supporters of the Prefect of the Department (like a state governor) and one of those who have been calling for his resignation. Well, the campesino and other union groups swarmed the city early and I think they effectively stopped the pro-Prefect march from happening. There are blockades from the Puenta Cala Cala, all the way down the Prado to Plaza Colon and continuing on to the Plaza Principal. The people are not letting any traffic through, using banners and dumpsters to effectively block most intersections. If the pro-Prefect folks had marched, it would have been messy.

Instead, everything seems to be tense but tranquilo. As I walked around this afternoon I saw lots of people sitting around in the parks and on every corner; chatting, chewing coca, eating ice cream, apparently enjoying a day in the city. A lot of the protestors have traveled from all over the department to the city and there are quite a few cochabambinos in the mix too.

I saw about 30 - 50 pro-Prefect folks on the rotunda near the Los Tiempos (a newspaper) building, but it didn't look like they were going anywhere.

Some photos from today:


Even the police need ice cream. Policia on the Puenta Cala Cala buying popsicles.


A row of policia sindical (holding sticks, cell phones and coca) standing in front of the police, who are guarding their headquarters and the Prefect's office, on the Plaza principal.


"Land of encounters" sign with a union meeting taking place below it.