First Hand Account of Demo/Counter Demo at Bolivian Embassy - May 4

[magbana]

Demo and Counter Demo at Bolivian Embassy(Washington, DC) on Occasion of Autonomy Referendum in Santa Cruz

A few days ago, we learned that pro-autonomy forces planned to demonstrate in front of the Bolivian embassy in Washington on Sunday at 11am in support of the referendum vote in Santa Cruz. We organized a counter demonstration and arranged it so that our people got to the embassy this morning before the gusanos. We immediately filled the sidewalk directly in front of the embassy and were determined to hold our ground. When the gusanos arrived they whined about wanting the space we had in front of the embssy. The Secret Service cop said, “they (pointing to us) got here first.” We had about 40 people and the gusanos had around 100.

The gusanos had green and white Santa Cruz flags, fancy t-shirts, and vests emblazoned with “Si” with a checkmark inside of a box referring to the referendum vote. We were quite a different looking crew that included activists from the FMLN, Nicaragua Network, All-African People’s Revolutionary Party, Communist Party, DC Committee to Free the Cuban Five, Venezuela Solidarity Network, and Friends of Bolivia, etc The gusanos were 98% white and we were a full rainbow of color.

The taunts began immediately. They called us communists and we called them bourgeoisie. They talked about the economy and we talked about unity and peace. About three or four of the gusanos brought US flags with them, but not a Bolivian flag was to be seen. We asked why they were carrying the flag of their master and not of their country.

The embassy set up a sound system outside on the front lawn and three performers played and sang beautiful Bolivian music. They also played a recorded version of the Bolivian national anthem for which we stood at attention and at which the gusanos chanted loudly trying to drown it out.

Before long the ambassador’s wife joined us in our picket line and stayed with us for about an hour.

Finally, the gusanos produced a cardboard box into which they put their “si” votes and then chanted –“the people united will never be defeated.” We informed them that they weren’t “the people,” we were. They left and we celebrated the fact that we did not yield one inch of the space in front of the Bolivian embassy.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Oh, migod. That sounds so much like right-wing scum, "The people united."

Not a worthwhile bone in their parasitic bodies!

very glad it was the Bolivia supporters who got there first. It would have been a filthy shame had the racist, anti-Bolivian a-holes claimed the high ground themselves.

Very good to hear the ambassador's wife stood with you. I'll bet they really appreciated your presence there today.

Pro-democracy DU'ers also appreciate the fact you spent your day standing up for the rights of the democratic Bolivian people.

As a comment, it really seems stupid the separatists thought anyone should give a damn about their illegal votes!

Oh, one thing mentioned while you were gone is that if the separatists do get enough U.S. _Bush assistance to break away and remove this land, they have no one in the region who will do business with them, as all the Latin American countries around them have already indicated they totally support the Bolivian government.

Thank you for sharing the information on what happened at the Bolivian Embassy in Washington, magbana. No doubt you made a point by being where you were which will make a difference.

[magbana]

2. Evo, amigo, el pueblo esta contigo! High abstention rate in voting.

I and the others were glad to stand with the Bolivians today. And they were relieved we were there. I understand that there was a high abstention rate and that there was ballot box stuffing in Plan 3000 - the indigenous area. -- I'm waiting for a few translations into english and then will post.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Love that slogan! I heard earlier on the en vivo Venezuela program that there was a belief there was

some tampering, also.

Just stopped in to check for a moment to see what was happening, will be back in some hours to start seeing what's available in English sources, which usually isn't too much, of course.

Our own "watchdog" press has been busted down to reporting what the White House tells them to report. I read the other day that a female asshole columnist, Marcella Sanchez, at the Washington Post, has even admitted that _Bush's State Department people have been over to the Washington Post talking to people about articles they write, and she's a complete suck-up to the idiot right-wing politicians.

If an honorable government EVER gains the upper hand here, there are a whole lot of media prostitutes who are going to be left high and dry. You can believe you'll see some flip-flopping like you've never seen before, as they can't be pried away from their jobs. That's a shame, too. They have cast their lots with the devil, and should have to live with the consequences.

" Evo, amigo, el pueblo esta contigo! " He's got the backing of the democratic Latin American countries, as well. They've already made statements concerning where they stand on the autonomy issue.

[Bacchus39]

4. Plan 3000 is where Morales supporters burned the ballot boxes

n/t