[Marxism] Peru Indian leader enters Nica embassy and asks asylum

["Fred Feldman" <ffeldman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Peru Indian leader seeks Nicaragua exile
Buzz up!Share
 Email
 
Digg
 
Facebook
 
StumbleUpon
 
Reddit
 
Print Jun 8th, 2009 | LIMA, Peru -- A Peruvian Indian leader charged with
sedition for heading protests against Amazon development has sought refuge
in Nicaragua's Embassy and is seeking asylum, the government said Monday.

Alberto Pizango led protests that erupted in violence Friday when police
moved in to break up a highway blockade manned by Indians. The clashes left
dozens dead, including 23 police officers.

Protest leaders accused the government of "genocide" for killing indigenous
demonstrators, while the government accused the protesters of brutality and
ordered Pizango's arrest for sedition.

Peruvian Cabinet chief Yehude Simon said late Monday during a special
session of Congress called to discuss the deaths that Pizango had taken
refuge in the Nicaraguan embassy in Lima.

Peru's state news agency quoted Nicaragua's ambassador as saying that
Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega would decide Tuesday whether to grant
Pizango asylum.

The political violence was the Andean country's worst since the Shining Path
insurgency was quelled more than a decade ago.

Indians have been blocking roads, waterways and occupying oil facilities on
and off since early April, demanding the government repeal laws they say
help foreign companies exploit their ancestral lands.

The government argues the laws are needed to help the poor country develop.





________________________________________________
YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message.
Send list submissions to: Marxism@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Set your options at: 
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/options/marxism/archive%40archives.econ.utah.edu