The Closing of the Southern Highway from Tegucigalpa: An Eye Witness Report

[Joanne98]

The Emphasis in the Honduran Blockades Is on Nonviolent Strategy and Tactics


By Jonathan Treat
Special to The Narco News Bulletin
July 18, 2009

On the twentieth day of the military coup here in Honduras—and another night of imposed curfew in which anyone on the streets after 11:30 can be detained and jailed without question—thousands of Hondurans continue in their active, non-violent struggle for a return to democracy. Today marked another day of widespread, peaceful protests and the second day of pro-democracy/pro-Zelaya supporters blocking principal highways in efforts to curtail commerce—hitting the regime where it hurts.

The nonviolent action at the southern entrance to the city began as it did yesterday, with people gathering in the morning until several hundred people had convened. They then marched to a key spot on the highway where they will halt traffic. On the way, some bystanders shout insults at the marchers. One protestor responds by bending down and picking up some rocks. He is quickly surrounded with several leaders of the march, who remind him that the march was peaceful and insist that he puts down the stones.

The pro-Zelaya protestors cross a narrow bridge on the highway, and with quick precision lay large stones across the road. The principal southern artery into Tegucigalpa is officially closed.

At the site of the highway closure, a flatbed truck mounted with loudspeakers provides pro-democracy movement leaders with a forum to denounce the military coup and its de facto leader, Roberto Michelleti—and their demand for the return and re-installment of their president, “Mel” Zelaya. The atmosphere is upbeat. One of the protest leaders acts as dj, playing a diverse mix of music—nueva trova (new song), cumbia, salsa and rancheros. At several points during the festivities people break out into dance, surrounded by cheering crowds.

A contingent of anti-riot police rings the event, quietly observing. There is not the usual tension that comes when an event is watched by men with guns. Several protestors offer the police drinks of water in plastic bags. A few of the police manage smiles.

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http://www.narconews.com/Issue58/article3691.html

This report just got posted 30 min ago. There's pictures.

[truedelphi]

1. In Cronkite's Day, when the Major TV networks had budgets up to the task

This would be one of the lead stories every single night.

Situation in Peru with the indigenous people being killed would also be front and center.

[Wednesdays]

2. K&R

:kick: