Last month Nicaragua's constitution was violated, changing the law that will now allow Ortega to run for re-election. Since that time there has been some political turmoil, but not as much as I would have imagined. It actually seemed to happen without people blinking an eye. It certainly was expected, but doesn't make it any more acceptable.
The biggest outrage was seen when Robert Callahan (US Embassador to Nic) made a statement, making it clear that the US State Dept was concerned about the recent changes to the constitution and more so how it was changed. Sandinista turbas (basically street bums paid by the Sandinista's to cause trouble) were outside the fortress that is the American Embassy destroying signs, light fixtures, and trying to throw things over the wall. Police did little to nothing. I think it is sad how these people openly destroyed property and were never arrested or detained. There seems to be absolutely no justice-no one has to take responsibility for their actions. And I see this every day in school as well. It is amazing to me how such behavior, mainly unaccountability, committed by those that are seemingly social deviants, is the same type of behavior that I see some of my students display at school and sadly sometimes behavior I see administrators display as well. The school is a microcosm of the society. And I am sorry to say that from my point of view, displays of such behavior are not only made by deviants, but normal members of society as well.
Anyway, there has been a protest, a march in the works for several weeks now and it has turned into a three ring circus, as most things in Nicaragua do. It started off as a march against the change in the constitution, and then people said they wanted to march against the fraudulent elections that happened last year, and then the liberals said they were marching and different unions are marching and of course, the Sandinistas are marching against the march! What was supposed to be a peaceful protest now is billed as being the 2nd Revolution!
The opposition march planned their route and gathering places in advance and cleared it with the police and such. Now the Sandinistas are saying they are marching the same route in the opposite direction. The police, at first, told the Sandinistas that they needed to change their route, but now, since they are in the government’s pocket, the opposition in now being told they need to change their route.
This is all supposed to take place on Carretera Masaya, which is about 3 blocks from my apartment, and the starting point will be at the Mall, less than a 5 minute drive from my house. There is no worry for me though, because our road is not a main road and only traveled by those who live here. There should be no rabble rousers on our street.
There has been a document released, and the validity of it has been questioned, but it is supposed to be the Sandinista plan to impede the Opposition March. They are trying to use fear tactics, as always, to keep people from marching, saying that they are going to take over all main traffic routes of the city, fire off mortars, burn tires, throw rocks, generally terrorize, to keep people from coming out. Ivan has decided not to march, which of course I am happy for, because I would not want him out in that madness, but I am also a little upset as well. He should be able to go out and protest this travesty done to his country and speak his mind. It is all very sickening.
Here is a great article from the New York Times that explains things much more eloquently than I. There is something about this situation that leaves me at a loss for words at how wrong it is.
I will most likely be posting information here on Saturday, as it happens. Ivan teases me that I think I am a breaking news source or something.
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