Chavez Foes Stage Mass Rally

Thousands take to the streets ahead of Sunday's vote
By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 29, 2007 4:24 PM CST
Chavez Foes Stage Mass Rally
A university student throws rocks at anti-riot police outside the Metropolitan University in Caracas, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, during a student protest against constitutional reforms proposed by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez. Venezuelans will vote on the changes to their nation's constitution on...   (Associated Press)

Tens of thousands took to the streets in Caracas today to protest Hugo Chavez's proposal to bolster his power and institute socialist changes. Venezuelans will vote Sunday on 69 constitutional reforms, including the eradication of presidential term limits. "We can't be a communist Venezuela," one opposition leader told the AP. Polls show the outcome too close to call.

"This is a movement by those of us who oppose a change to this country's way of life, because what (the referendum) aims to do is impose totalitarianism," said the opposition leader. Today's rally was marked by whistle-blowing and shouts of "Not like this!" Other protests in recent days have led to clashes with government forces. (More Hugo Chavez stories.)

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