It has passed more than a year since handicapped people asked the government a bonus of approximately 450 dollars per year. Initially, a census was made in Bolivia in order to determine the level of physical handicap. Time went on quickly. They waited long months but there was no answer for their request. Some time ago, their federation in La Paz made a demostration claiming the bonus. They decided to walk on one of the main roads that connects La Paz with other city about more than 50 kilometers. That time, they couldn´t obtain anything and instead they made an enormous effort trying to cover the route some in their wheelschairs, other with their crutches. After walking and pushing their chairs they had to abandon this action.

A proposal of a law was sent to the Parliament which consisted on reducing the amount of money political parties receive during election´s time and to distribute that money to these citizens. Unfortunately, a lot of delays in Senators´Chamber leaded by the opposition hasn´t allowed up to now to approve this law which will favor a lot of physically handicappe living both in rural and urban areas. This situation has been turning more and more conflictive especially in Santa Cruz, where the past days confrontation between this group helped by young people and some members of the opposition ended in attacks against policemen. In La Paz, the local Federation has been on strike since more than one month ago on San Francisco´s Square waiting a final decision of the Parliament which will meet next Tuesday to discuss about this law. According to the local leader, Teclo Gonzales, members of the other federations will arrive next Tuesday to this city in order to get their objetive.

However, on Comercio´s street, on of the main streets that connect downtown with the Parliament and Government Palace, activities haven´t stopped. Everyday, there are generally blind people singing or others selling some products. Some time ago, some of them worked selling coins for phone calls, but this possibility of receiving this income, doesn´t exist now. “Anyone is on the risk of becoming physically handicappe any moment…”, said one of the leaders of this organization. For the moment, conflict continues.