L.A. Protesters Criticize Peruvian Commando Raid
About 50 people demonstrated Wednesday night in front of the Peruvian Consulate in Los Angeles to protest the raid by commandos at the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Lima.
Although 71 hostages were freed in Tuesday’s raid, the protesters were angry that all 14 of the Marxist guerrillas who had held the hostages were killed.
“The violent end was completely unnecessary,” said Preston Wood, Los Angeles coordinator of the International Action Center, which organized the protest. Wood described the group as a national coalition of progressive organizations.
“If there would have been negotiation in good faith, this could have been resolved peacefully,” Wood said.
Chanting in English and Spanish, protesters carried placards that read “Who Is the Real Terrorist?” and “No U.S. Intervention in Peru.”
“Those who took over the [residence] were trying to call attention to the depth of poverty and suffering in Peru,” Wood said. “They were trying to call attention to the suffering within Peru’s prisons, which are among the worst in the world. They were also trying to tell the world about the plight of the country’s indigenous people, who are suffering from hunger and unbelievable poverty.”
In addition to members of the International Action Center, there were a number of members of Socialist organizations and a Trotskyite group.
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