Thousands of Bolivians Mourn Police

Thousands of angry Bolivians marched through this administrative capital to mourn nine police officers killed in two days of rioting, and the country’s largest union called for a national strike.

The unrest began when 7,000 police seeking a 40% raise walked off the job to protest government plans for a new tax to reduce the budget deficit. Cutting the deficit was required by the International Monetary Fund in exchange for new emergency loans.

Government troops’ clashes with striking police and protesters left 22 dead, including the nine officers, and more than 100 injured. Protesters left 12 government buildings in flames.

Mourners wept over the coffins of the officers and carried them through a downtown plaza. Officials who arrived to show their support were shoved by the crowd, who chanted, “Murderers! Murderers!”

The Central Bolivian Workers Union called for a 48-hour national strike starting Monday to protest the government’s handling of the economy and its response to the police strike.