At least a hundred thousand Venezuelans - many equipped with tents, inflatable mattresses and foldout chairs - parked themselves on a Caracas highway Saturday in what they said would be their longest protest yet against the South American country’s President Hugo Chavez.
Police officials at the scene estimated the crowd at between 200,000 and 300,000 people. At least a hundred thousand were present, Caracas fire chief Rodolfo Briceno said.
"Prepare yourself for the longest protest in history!" television commercials and newspaper ads screamed in the opposition-run media, according to AP.
The opposition is trying to recover from a recent Supreme Court ruling that postponed indefinitely a February 2 referendum that would have asked citizens whether Chavez should resign. Although the referendum would not have been binding, opponents had hoped a negative outcome would persuade the country’s President to quit.
"Although they stole the referendum from us, spirits are higher than ever," said Alexandra Suarez, a student carrying a sleeping bag on her shoulder. Opponents had gathered 2 million signatures to petition for the vote. (Albawaba.com)
