Niger protesters vow more action over price hikes

[struggle4progress]

16 Mar 2005 15:22:06 GMT
Source: Reuters

NIAMEY, March 16 (Reuters) - Protest organisers vowed on Wednesday that thousands of people would march through Niger's capital weekly until the government abolishes a tax on staples like flour and milk in one of the poorest countries on earth.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators crowded the streets of Niger's capital Niamey on Tuesday to protest against a 19 percent tax slapped on staples and utilities like water and electricity in January.

The demonstration was one of the biggest in recent years in a country where people's average annual income is just $200. <snip>

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16703902.htm

[katinmn]

1. Those poor people

I hope the government doesn't crack down on them with violence. They're really getting screwed.