Protesting Coca Growers March Into Lima

[maddezmom]

LIMA, Peru - About 3,000 rural coca growers marched peacefully into Lima on Monday to demand the government free one of their leaders and stop programs to eradicate their cocaine-producing crop.


Protest leader Nancy Obregon told The Associated Press that the coca farmers would remain in the capital "until they solve our problems."


She said coca farmers want to speak with Prime Minister Carlos Ferrero and legislators about a law that would protect coca cultivation.


They also want to meet with judiciary officials to discuss the release of Nelson Palomino, jailed for more than a year on charges of spreading terrorist propaganda. Police say he used a rural radio program to incite civil unrest, and that he threatened journalists who questioned him and growers who refused to support him.

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