Thousands of Cocaleros March in Cochabamba, Defying State of Emergency

Thousands of coca growers and other Morales-aligned social sectors marched from Avenida Petrolera to central Cochabamba, defying the active state of emergency to demand repeal of Supreme Decree 5676 and greater fuel supply. It was the first cocalero march since the 53-day blockades of May-June. Police did not intervene and the march was peaceful; Evo Morales, evading his outstanding arrest warrant from the Chapare, urged supporters to march but did not attend himself. Cocalero leader Isidro Auca, heading the column, said: "This government wants to raffle off our natural resources, it doesn't listen to the people. We will not allow further damage to the economy, this is a warning, we will continue the struggle."