Pam-Am. highway blocked in anti-prison project protest
- 12 years ago
Police fend off a volley of rocks from protesters in Peru.
These violent clashes - part of a protest against the construction of a new prison - left one demonstrator dead and others seething.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL LEADER ITALO MALDONADO SAYING:
"We can not allow the further construction of penitentiaries in the Canete province. We had it already with the one that was built seven years ago."
The protesters -- more than 3,000 gathered here -- claim THAT one led to increased crime, locally.
Protesters blocked part of the Pan-American highway and pelted traffic with rocks.
At one point, several also tried to tip over a bus.
The clashes has left some local residents petrified.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT MARIA SALAS SAYING:
"They came (referring to police) towards us with their rifles pointing at us. There were children among us walking by that were affected by the tear gas."
In response to the violence, officials have closed public agencies and schools.
Andrew Raven, Reuters
These violent clashes - part of a protest against the construction of a new prison - left one demonstrator dead and others seething.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL LEADER ITALO MALDONADO SAYING:
"We can not allow the further construction of penitentiaries in the Canete province. We had it already with the one that was built seven years ago."
The protesters -- more than 3,000 gathered here -- claim THAT one led to increased crime, locally.
Protesters blocked part of the Pan-American highway and pelted traffic with rocks.
At one point, several also tried to tip over a bus.
The clashes has left some local residents petrified.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) RESIDENT MARIA SALAS SAYING:
"They came (referring to police) towards us with their rifles pointing at us. There were children among us walking by that were affected by the tear gas."
In response to the violence, officials have closed public agencies and schools.
Andrew Raven, Reuters