Strike, marches in Bolivia against Morales' government

 

By Associated Press
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP)
— Large crowds have taken to the streets of Bolivia's capital to protest against the government of President Evo Morales in a strike observed by sectors including public schoolteachers and health workers.

Thousands of people marched in central La Paz on Monday, setting off small dynamite charges that are used for mining and easily obtained in the country.

The protesters are demanding the revocation of a decree by Morales to close a bankrupt state factory, leaving 800 people jobless. They're also calling for an alliance between the Bolivian Workers' Union and the president to be broken.


Monday's marches were the first union protest against the government in seven years.

The government called on the strikers to negotiate with officials, but discarded revoking the decree to close the factory.