quote:

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Opposition leaders in five of Bolivia's nine provinces have claimed massive support for a one-day strike in protest at plans to rewrite the constitution.

The strikers are objecting to plans to allow a constituent assembly to amend the charter by simple majority vote.

A power struggle between Bolivia's wealthier, white elite - which opposes the changes - and its indigenous majority is at the heart of the row.

In Santa Cruz, buses, schools and businesses were reported to have closed.

Protesters blocked roads into the city, where the streets were deserted, the Associated Press reported.

Strike leaders fought members of unions supportive of the president in the city's streets.

Strikes were also taking hold in Beni and Pando states.

Together, the four states form a crescent-shaped area that curves around Bolivia's south-eastern lowlands - known as the "Media Luna" or Half Moon. They are home to about a third of Bolivia's population, including most of its white European-descended minority.

"The support for the strike is robust, massive," said German Angelo, president of the Civic Committee of Santa Cruz.

On Thursday, he told reporters he wanted to "defend democracy from the totalitarian intentions of the Morales government".

One of the central demands of the mass social movements which helped get Mr Morales elected was that Bolivia's constitution be rewritten. Indigenous activists say the charter entrenches the dominance of the non-indigenous elite.

Mr Morales established the constituent assembly in August, but lacks the support of two-thirds of delegates he needs to push through changes.

He wants each article to be passed by a simple majority, with two-thirds support needed only to ratify the final document -while the opposition accuses the government of changing the rules illegally.

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So German the rich white Bolivian thinks that considering more than 50% of the vote is "totalitarian"?

You know Morales is on the right path when all the right people are pissed. I hope he stays the course.