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Friday, July 9, 2010

Fighting for labor rights, flighting for the right to fight for labor rights.

CLICK HERE for videos of what is going on in Bocas.  Thank you to Thelma for posting these on her fb page.


this is an article I translated (using google translator). I have posted more on my facebook page.


115 arrested and 105 injured in Changuinola, according to the Government

LA PRENSA / Carlos Lemos
115 detenidos y 105 heridos en Changuinola, según el Gobierno
Today, July 9, 2010, continued fighting in Changuinola, Bocas del Toro.
7:26 pm - PANAMA CITY, Panama. (ACAN-EFE) .- The Government of Panama announced today that 115 people detained in the city of Changuinola in Bocas del Toro province, after another day of protests and clashes between banana workers and police who have already left 105 injured. 

"About 115 people have been apprehended as a result of the riots in Changuinola," Security Ministry said in a statement on the reporting of property damage in several buildings and public institutions of the city, which has decreed a curfew beginning at 9:00 pm 

"The situation is not yet controlled. The thing is heated," he told Acan-Efe a Security Ministry official, on the clashes, which on Thursday claimed the life of Antonio Smith, a union of the banana sector. 

Wounded

For its part, the Health Ministry said in another statement it is aware of 105 wounded in clashes featuring police and workers of the banana Bocas Fruit Company, who protest to demand wage arrears and the repeal of two laws that restrict trade union rights. 

Sources consulted by the Ministry Acan-Efe did not confirm if the balance referred to today or is global. 

The ministry in charge of home affairs said the demonstrators set fire to police station for children and adolescents, and several shops and vehicles used as barricades in the streets. 

He noted that the strikers "maintain activity" in three areas of Changuinola where they collected stones and sharp objects. 

"The commission sent by President Ricardo Martinelli, headed by the Minister of the Presidency, Jimmy Papadimitriu, is meeting with union leaders," the source said, adding that "it has not yet reported the results of this meeting."

3 comments:

  1. I live on an island in the province of Bocas del Toro.About 8 miles by boat to Almirante the closest port on the mainland.Bocas Town,the main tourist destination on Isla Colon is already feeling the effects of the riots in Changanola.The only gas dock for fueling boats is closed,and the gas station in Bocas Town will be out of gas today.As all of our food stuffs need to pass this way as well I suspect there soon will be some shortages.Bocas Towns electrical grid is powered with diesel generators,if their not able to get fuel soon,its lights out. Bocas Town was very devoid of tourists this morning.Fortunatley Im off the grid,with satellite communications.But a couple of weeks of this and most island dwellers will be in trouble.From Isla San Cristobal.Ciao

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  2. Neil thank you so much for keeping me updated! There were some protests and vigils here in panama City yesterday.

    Any new reports, please feel free to share them here.

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