We want justice!
Nestor Salinas is 29 years old, he lives in El Alto with his Mum and has 6 brothers. He used to work as an inspector in a factory in El Alto.
All this changed on October 18 2003, when his 29 year old brother died due to complications from a bullet wound sustained from a military issued gun. Now Nestor is the President of the Families of the hero's and fallen in the defense of gas, an organisation made up of those who lost loved ones during Black October.
Nestor was with his brother when he died, he fought hard for proper medical care that never arrived. The last words his brother heard was Nestors promise to bring justice to those who were responsible for his death and the deaths of many others. And so Nestors life has changed dramatically.
He no longer works and has dedicated his life to fighting for those responsible (ex President Gonzales Sanchez de Lozada, Carlos Berzian and the other 10 minsters)to justice. He is an articulate man, who very calmly tells you the story of his brother, Davids, death. He must have told this story hundreds of times, but it still packs a punch, there is emotion in his voice, but he doesn't waver.
Nestor talks about what it was like during the uprising in October. He tells you about the 5 year old boy who happened to be looking out the window of his parents house (curious about the commotion in the streets below) only to be shot in the face, later dying. He tells you that all the fatal bullet wounds sustained were to the chest or above. A clear example of the policy of the government and military to shoot to kill.
Nestor tells you that there was no adequate medical care in El Alto. That ambulances from La Paz could not get through to the city to bring the critically injured to hospitals in the city where they may not of died. The roads were blocked by the military. Many of the deaths caused were due to this.
Nestor keeps reminding you that is it easy to forget what happened in Bolivia in October 2003, as we go on with our lives, but the struggle of Nestor, the families, and of Bolivia is inextricably tied with the demand for justice and dignity and the charges of murder against those responsible.
He asks the question "what type of democracy do we have, when you go out and buy a piece of bread, and you get a bullet in the heart? This is the type of democracy we have." A question that can be asked of many countries.
In response to charges of murder this week, the head of the Army in Bolivia, General Antezana actually said that many of the deaths were caused due to "autoeliminacion", that the people shot each other. This, he said, happens a lot during times of political unrest. This absurdity is a direct strategy by the powers that confuse and delay the judicial process. Imagine how the families feel, what an insult.
After meeting Nestor last night, I am more dedicated now to the struggle to bring those responsible to justice. Sometimes its easy to work for a cause and have no emotional attachment. Nestor is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met in my life, he brings dignity and power to a struggle which is surely going to last years.
He said that this is his life now, he will not rest, will never give up and will continue to fight no matter what, until those responsible for Davids death and the death of 60+ others, plus the injuries of over 400 people, are behind bars in jail.
In a world where there is so much injustice, its people like Nestor who make you realise that justice will only be achieved through struggle and if everyone struggled together, justice will come much quicker.
If you want to do something, get involved with the campaign of the Bolivia Solidarity Network to help bring justice to the people of Bolivia.
All this changed on October 18 2003, when his 29 year old brother died due to complications from a bullet wound sustained from a military issued gun. Now Nestor is the President of the Families of the hero's and fallen in the defense of gas, an organisation made up of those who lost loved ones during Black October.
Nestor was with his brother when he died, he fought hard for proper medical care that never arrived. The last words his brother heard was Nestors promise to bring justice to those who were responsible for his death and the deaths of many others. And so Nestors life has changed dramatically.
He no longer works and has dedicated his life to fighting for those responsible (ex President Gonzales Sanchez de Lozada, Carlos Berzian and the other 10 minsters)to justice. He is an articulate man, who very calmly tells you the story of his brother, Davids, death. He must have told this story hundreds of times, but it still packs a punch, there is emotion in his voice, but he doesn't waver.
Nestor talks about what it was like during the uprising in October. He tells you about the 5 year old boy who happened to be looking out the window of his parents house (curious about the commotion in the streets below) only to be shot in the face, later dying. He tells you that all the fatal bullet wounds sustained were to the chest or above. A clear example of the policy of the government and military to shoot to kill.
Nestor tells you that there was no adequate medical care in El Alto. That ambulances from La Paz could not get through to the city to bring the critically injured to hospitals in the city where they may not of died. The roads were blocked by the military. Many of the deaths caused were due to this.
Nestor keeps reminding you that is it easy to forget what happened in Bolivia in October 2003, as we go on with our lives, but the struggle of Nestor, the families, and of Bolivia is inextricably tied with the demand for justice and dignity and the charges of murder against those responsible.
He asks the question "what type of democracy do we have, when you go out and buy a piece of bread, and you get a bullet in the heart? This is the type of democracy we have." A question that can be asked of many countries.
In response to charges of murder this week, the head of the Army in Bolivia, General Antezana actually said that many of the deaths were caused due to "autoeliminacion", that the people shot each other. This, he said, happens a lot during times of political unrest. This absurdity is a direct strategy by the powers that confuse and delay the judicial process. Imagine how the families feel, what an insult.
After meeting Nestor last night, I am more dedicated now to the struggle to bring those responsible to justice. Sometimes its easy to work for a cause and have no emotional attachment. Nestor is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met in my life, he brings dignity and power to a struggle which is surely going to last years.
He said that this is his life now, he will not rest, will never give up and will continue to fight no matter what, until those responsible for Davids death and the death of 60+ others, plus the injuries of over 400 people, are behind bars in jail.
In a world where there is so much injustice, its people like Nestor who make you realise that justice will only be achieved through struggle and if everyone struggled together, justice will come much quicker.
If you want to do something, get involved with the campaign of the Bolivia Solidarity Network to help bring justice to the people of Bolivia.
posted by Paula Pfoeffer at
2:05 am
