Thousands of Peruvian workers took to the streets in Arequipa, a city southeast of Lima, to demand jobs and to protest government plans to privatize two power companies. On June 16 President Alejandro Toledo declared a 30-day state of emergency and sent in the army and the police to occupy the city. At least 100 people have been wounded and one killed over several days of protests. Demonstrations have also broken out in other cities in defiance of government repression. The Peruvian regime claims that the $800 million from the companies’ sale will go to social projects and to pay the budget deficit.  
 
 
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