Bolivian Indians march over Amazon road

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Bolivian Indians march over Amazon road

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Bolivians warn they will fight against a controversial highway development through Amazon forest.

16 August,2011 03:43 pm

Bolivian President Evo Morales has enjoyed five years of solid backing from his countrys indigenous majority but Indian activists raised their voices against him, angered over a government plan to build a highway through the Amazon forest.The 420 million US dollar road will link the Amazon plains of Beni to Chapare, and Morales has put the scheme at the heart of his drive to boost infrastructure investment in the impoverished nation.Over 500 protesters from various ethnic groups joined in the march at the Amazon city of Trinidad, which got on its way after offerings to Mother Earth were made in a ritual with coca leaves and alcohol.Everyone from feather-fringed dancers to mothers holding swaddled babies say they are prepared make the 600km (370 mile) journey all the way to the capital La Paz.Morales is Bolivias first president of Indian descent and usually peppers his speeches with references to Mother Earth, often blaming rich countries and big business for global warming and crimes against the environment.He has accused activists of serving the interests of foreign non-governmental organisations, rather than their own people, a claim the activists refute.They say the road threatens a protected area and that their right to consultation was violated.We are marching so that they respect our constitutional rights. All of us here today voted for [Evo Morales] in full confidence because he is an Indian and is humble, trustworthy, he believes and he feels. That is why we voted for him as president. And now that we make our demands how can it be that he sends ministers or he says himself that we are traitors of the country? Tell me when we, the indigenous people, ever betrayed the country? Bolivian Central Western Indigenous Council leader, Adolfo Chavez, said.Morales further angered indigenous people by saying the road would be built through the Isiboro Secure indigenous territory and national park whether they like it or not.