[act-ma] 2/26 Evo Morales President of Bolivia in Boston and Providence

[Charlie Welch]

       Evo Morales - Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. - Downtown
    Boston (ticket info below)
    See the bottom for information on the event in Providence

    Five hundred years in the making! The first indigenous President of
    Bolivia.

    On February 26, 2008, Boston will welcome President Evo Morales of
    Bolivia. At the cutting edge of an Andean movement of social change
    from below, Evo came to power in 2006 following an innovative
    combination of protest, mass actions, people power and consistent
    electoral activity. His ascent marks the first time that a leader
    representing the indigenous majority is at the head of government
    since the advent of colonialism.

    More than a new leadership, Evo Morales is leading a major social
    transformation of Bolivia and Latin America. His government has
    reworked the constitution to bring ordinary people into the
    democratic process; it has restored sovereignty over natural
    resources; it has placed human rights at the center of development,
    recognizing for example, the human right to water. It has restored
    dignity to peasants by legalizing traditional crops, including the
    coca plant.

    Above all else, economic development strategy and social welfare are
    now part of the same process and not incidental to each other.
    Social security protections have been extended to the aged and to
    children.

    Rejecting self-defeating ideological prescriptions, Evo has welcomed
    medical and development assistance from revolutionary Cuba and
    Venezuela.

    Bolivia's future development and sovereignty is by no means
    guaranteed. It is subject to a host of challenges ranging from
    resources constraints to a global economic environment that is
    hostile to developing economies. Nonetheless, the revolution
    signaled by Evo's election, means that for the first time serious
    efforts are being made to develop all of Bolivia and create
    conditions that will keep Bolivians from having to cross borders in
    search of livelihoods.

    Evo's trip to Boston is being organized by a growing coalition of
    grassroots organizations and advocacy groups. The evening's events
    begin at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008.

    Exact location and admission information about the event will be
    made available as soon as the security and logistical details have
    been made available to the event organizers.

    In the meantime, if you'd like to attend the event, please fill out
    the form at www.EvoInBoston.org.

    If you represent a community-based organization and would like
    members of your community to attend the event, please send an e-mail
    to info at evoinboston.org or call 617-482-6300. Community-based
    organizations are encouraged to endorse the event and to work with
    the organizers to enable the community to attend.
     
    This event is free to the public..  He will be speaking in Spannish
    with English translation.
    __________________________________________________________

    He is also appearing earlier that day  in Providence RI at Brown
    University

    Tuesday, February  26 at 4:00 at Salomon,   Room 101.
    http://www.watsoninstitute.org/clas/




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