Another day of action against
the coup in Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, July 30.—A national strike in the state sector, marches, roadblocks and the takeover of public institutions today characterize the 33rd act of popular resistance to the military coup.

The 48-hour strike was called last Sunday by the three trade union organizations at the end of an assembly organized by the National Front against the Coup to plan strategies for restoring constitutional order.

The demonstrations today and tomorrow are to be joined by the six national teachers’ associations, which, using a strategy to avoid affecting the school, are returning to classes for the first three days of the week.

The teachers and professors maintained a three-week strike after the coup this past June 28.

In the last three days, members of the National Resistance Front blocked access to the main luxury complexes and shopping malls to condemn the participation of the business sector in the coup.

Yesterday’s protest affected the Metro Mall, whose owners include Ricardo Maduro, the former president of Panamanian origin.

Anti-riot army and police forces approached the demonstrators and there was a moment of tension over the fear of another armed attack, averted by march leaders, who emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest.

Meanwhile, the de facto government has extended the curfew in the eastern El Paraiso department, subjected to a state of siege for the last six days, causing a humanitarian emergency in the area.

Army troops and the police have blocked the Pan-American Highway leading to the Las Manos post on the border with Nicaragua, closing the way to thousands of people hoping to meet up with President Manuel Zelaya, who is preparing his return to the country.

Zelaya’s mother, Hortensia Rosales; his wife, Xiomara Castro; and their daughter Hortensia have been held back at those points since last Friday, in a hazardous effort to bring the family together.

Mass vigils at the Venezuelan embassy and Radio Globo continued last night for the sixth consecutive day in an effort to protect them from police action.

An expulsion order is hanging over the Venezuelan diplomats, who have refused to respond to it, given that they no not recognize the de facto government, while the radio station is maintaining constant coverage of popular resistance to the coup. (PL)