Bolivia, one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere, is in the midst of the most severe political and economic crisis since the country’s return to democracy in 1982. Social movements have mobilized to demand a voice in how the country’s resources are administered and to demand a voice in the government, seeking a retraction of privatization policies, a livable wage and employment. Last year the people rose up in mass protest of the president’s neoliberal policy on natural gas and forced him to resign. The circmstances in Bolivia today remain extremely unstable, with frequent protests rocking the country as the new government continues its questionable attempts to placate the people and also follow foreign dictates.
Learn more about these recent events at this special screening of 4 short and rare documentary films. Videographer Steev Hise, creator of one of these pieces, will be present to introduce them and answer questions.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the Computers for Bolivia Project, an effort to send computers to schools and community centers in Bolivia.
Program:
Workers Rebellion: (15 min.) a film by Bolivia-Indymedia covering protests to an IMF imposed 12.5% tax on income. On February 12 and 13th 2003 a spontaneous uprising by High school students and the working class of La Paz and El Alto, at that time the largest urban insurrection since the National Revolution of 1952. In less than 36 hours, government gunmen killed 33 people and injured 205.
No Se Vende El Gas: (20min.) this film covers the uprising and social unrest that took place in Bolivia in October 2003, the whole nation united to protest the governments approval of a controversial plan to build a pipeline linking natural gas fields in Bolivia’s south to a terminal on the Chilean coast for export to California. The country was paralyzed by protests for over a month, security forces responded to the protest wave with repressive violence, leading to at least 80 dead and thousands
wounded. Due to popular pressure their president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada was removed from office. This film includes interviews with members of the U.S. Embassy, professors, and community leaders of El Alto and La Paz.
Octubre Boliviano: (15min.) a film by Argentina-Indymedia that details the various social movements in Bolivia, including footage and interviews with people from the four main cities that were affected by the protests: Warisata, Chiripi, Oruro, El Alto.
Aftermath of Octubre: (12 min.) a Portland Indymedia videographer visits Bolivia and documents the situation 2 months after the fateful events of October 2003.
