"Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the creature. In fact, it is the root of every virtue."
Andrew Murray, Humility, pag. 12.
Last night things got more serious. Shots were fired in the air, and some received bullet wounds. A serious stampede occurred as the police fired tear gas at the protesters. Apparently, it was very dangerous, with a few seriously wounded people. The city looked almost calm this morning, though a few stores had windows broken.
This afternoon we could hear the protesters chanting downtown. Hopefully it did not turn violent. Pray for peace!
Early this morning the plaza looked peaceful, with hardly a soul there. Let's hope it stays that way (though later this morning, it will surely be filled with thousands...) The earth mover is being used as a garbage truck, with lots of guys with shovels and brooms... Policemen (with 40-year old rifles I think) getting in a little breakfast on the street before a long day... A "combi" (main vehicle for public transportation in our city) unmoved for 10 days now, with the announcement on the first day: "Paro Indefinido" Nov. 11, 2009. (Paro means strike). There was some violence in another part of town last night. The president of the province has refused to step down, though the people are demanding it. Next year's budget (that started this whole strike) has apparently not been resolved. Lord, send your peace!
The president of the region returned to Abancay yesterday (where he was and why he was out of the city this whole time is anyone's guess). We have heard that he was disguised as a policeman in order to get into the government building (which is right near the plaza). He denounced as illegal the vote two days ago naming his vice-president as president. Thousands were marching peacefully yesterday: Earlier this morning the roads were being cleared by a few brave souls. This truck driver apparently really wanted to get out of town, and was clearing away the rocks. A few people were yelling at him and trying to put the rocks back in his way. But he was able to eventually pass through. One way to take care of old junkers... put them in the middle of the road during a strike! Anything they can get their hands on, they will use.
Earlier this morning things seemed to be improving-- some stores were open, and there was even a line at that bank waiting for it to open. Then later in the morning things were getting more serious. The strikers were beginning to gather, and re-block all the roads. One group laughingly called out to me on my bike, "If you pass, you pay!" "We take euros, or dollars!" "You should be walking!" I just smiled and kept moving. Then a youth stopped me and wondered what I was doing on my bike, given that it was a "complete paralyzing" of the city--no vehicles, including bikes, were allowed on the roads (never mind the bike or two (plus the motorcycle or two) that passed while he was talking to me, nor the fact he was in the back of a truck with a bunch of other youth). I chatted with him a bit, saying I was going right home, which I did. I imagine there are thousands marching now on the plaza.
Not much development with the strike. Though they are opening the fruit/veggie markets in the early morning. So a 6am jaunt on my bike, with a loaded-down return trip, got us lots of needed fruit and veggies. Below are pictures taken yesterday on a hike overlooking our town. There was certainly not 12,000 protesters as there was supposedly yesterday...
Many times the strikers just march right up to the line of police, and chant and yell and chant some more.
Brandon was none too excited after waiting for me to take pictures, as is obvious...he was hungry and wanted to go home. They were troopers as usual on the tough hike to get there... (plaza near Jonathon's right shoulder)
I was going to title this entry with an explanation point ("Strike!"), but given the deadness of our deserted town of Abancay, it did not seem appropriate. We are now in the 7th day of a city-wide strike. No vehicles are allowed on the roads (save a few motorcycles, police cars and maybe some late-night taxis). (If someone were to drive, and the strikers caught them, the cars would be mercilessly pelted with rocks). The streets are deserted, except for the accumulating garbage, (that is usually picked up by the early-morning street sweepers--men and women who start sweeping at 3am with brooms made of sticks and small tree branches), and during the day all stores are closed. At night, a few brave stores open, in hopes that no "striker" will find them, and throw rocks at their windows (We have seen a few broken windows downtown). Every school has been closed. The first two pictures I took last night in the rain. The third one was taken from a news website (www.rpp.com.pe). There was supposedly 12,000 people protesting in the main plaza yesterday. There have been some wounded protesters, and have been some tear gas fired upon them. Apparently, the reason for the strike is next year's budget for our town. Supposedly the other large town in our province (called Andahuaylas) is getting more money so that they can build a hospital. Yet another article I read said that the budget had to be reduced because of the financial crises, and they had to prioritize projects, and Andahuaylas got the nod, much to the dismay of the Abanquinos. The president of our region had his house attacked with rocks yesterday. Our village trip last week had to be postponed. The boys are going stir-crazy without going to school. I plug away at home working on a class. We have enough food to last a few more days...but will have to go out late at night to forage for some more. Police and army reinforcements have been called in. All traffic in-and-out of town has been blocked (though if you need to go to Cusco, you can walk a few miles up the road, to where the buses are forced to stop). For a picture of the stranded vehicles, check out http://www.rpp.com.pe/2009-11-16-cientos-de-pasajeros-varados-por-paro-indefinido-en-abancay-noticia_222839.html. Supposedly a bus-load of people from Andahuaylas (a 4 hour trip) was supposed to arrive here yesterday, to protest against Abancay's protest. If they come, you can imagine how that will turn out. Lord, send your peace!
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