[Paraguay] New Tactics: Women Crucified for Housing Demands

I was very hesitant to post this article on a "good news" blog but I decided to for several reasons, which I thought you should know. This article is not being posted because women allowed themselves to be crucified but because of the clear innovation in symbolic tactics and engagement with consciousness. It is significant that this action was performed in a clear majority (90%) Catholic country, as opposed to an atheist country or one with a lower ratio, etc. It is important to remember that not all good news is uncomplicated. For example, my friend Gaurav said, Obama's election.

Long live critical analysis.

re-posted from Huffingtonpost.com


Women Nailed To Crosses In Paraguay To Demand Housing

ASUNCION, Paraguay -- Two women let themselves be crucified on wooden crosses and carried around Paraguay's capital on Friday as part of citywide protests demanding President Fernando Lugo grant funds for low-income housing.

Members of various homeless organizations nailed the women's hands and bound their feet to crosses in a plaza to pressure the Social Action Secretariat to give them $1 million to purchase land and build homes.

The women were identified as Laura Raquel Ramirez, 37, and Naida Villaverde, 41. One of them fainted from the heat and pain, said Blas Vera, one of the movement's leaders.

Several men heaved the crosses on their shoulders and bore the women through Asuncion, joining dozens of other protesters.

Nearly 90% of Paraguay's 6 million citizens are Roman Catholic.

Social Action head Pablino Caceres said the funds will be made available, but the agency will control them.

"The resources are there, but we will administer them," Caceres said. "We are changing the assistance model. In previous governments the leaders of the homeless groups controlled the money, but not now."

Leftist ex-bishop Fernando Lugo assumed the presidency in August, ending 61 years of single-party rule. He promises to end the extreme poverty in Paraguay, but some of his supporters say he is not acting fast enough.