IN STEREO

We had the 27 days, and everything we claimed was because Bolivia exists because of Potosí. We are the ones [who] still sustain everything. If not, what would become of the people, you see? That is why everyone asks for other companies to be made, because they want to close the mountain. They’re not going to let us work on the mountain, because it is collapsing. The people here, they intend to send them elsewhere, to other towns, to do the same – as if there is the same mineral in other places. The cement factory is the most important thing, because I believe that more people will go to work there. That’s what people will look for. And the lithium as well – that’s also important. But the government does not pay attention to us. When we saw Evo – he was going to one place, to another place – there was no solution. [So] the Potosínos made their march, a great march, all Potosínos.

They were united, weren’t they? They were united because they have been here. The 27 days were unforgettable. The funniest thing was when a march told us that the peasants were coming to break the blockade, that they were going to attack. The light was cut [and] I was frightened for my little children. I thought that they would throw dynamite at us. “What am I going to do?” I listened. When they shouted with those speakers, “Neighbours, come out! They are attacking us!” the neighbours came out with sticks. I thought the peasants were all around, walking like a wave. And my kids were watching the dynamite: “Boom! Boom!” everywhere. “What am I going to do?” We went with my sister, with sticks: “Let’s go. If we die, we die.” We are brave; we’re not cowardly. We went to the bridge there. We went along and we marched. The next day, it was all over the world how everyone came out, with sticks. – Cathy