Bolivia: Church aids indigenous people as they march towards capital

Flag of Bolivia

The Bishops in Bolivia have confirmed that they are encouraging parishes and religious communities to give humanitarian support to the indigneous groups who have resumed their march in the direction of La Paz to protest over plans to build a huge highway through their homeland. Among the one thousand strong marchers are many women, some of them pregnant, and children.

Churches have supported the marchers since they began their long trek. Representatives of the Social Pastoral Caritas Boliviana moved to the new Vicariate of Reyes to coordinate aid efforts for the marchers, who took refuge in parishes and religious houses in Yucumo, San Borja and Rurrenabaque before starting the march again.

According to the testimony of protesters, there are still three people missing after the violent intervention of the police a week ago in Yucumo. In Rurrenabaque the natives were welcomed into the parish rectory, where the local people gave them all the assistance they needed. In Yucumo the Missionary Sisters of Christ Jesus, advocated for the people when they were being attacked by police.

The protesters testified that during the intervention of the police, on Sunday, 27 September, the sisters tried to hide people and took in many who were suffering from the effects of tear gas.

Juan Carlos Velasquez from Caritas Boliviana, said that the people are very grateful to the Church for the support they have received.

Source: Fides