Photo credit; The Guardian
Dozens of clowns marched through the streets of Bolivia’s capital on Monday to protest a government decree that limits extracurricular activities, threatening their livelihoods.
The Associated Press reports that the clowns, wearing full-face paint and their signature red noses, were gathered in front of the Ministry of Education in La Paz to protest a decree published in February. The new mandate states that schools must offer 200 days of lessons each year – effectively banning schools from hosting special events where these entertainers are frequently employed.
Clowns are often hired for school festivities to entertain children during breaks from their regular lessons. One such upcoming event is Children’s Day, which the country celebrates on April 12.
The decree issued by the government of recently elected President Rodrigo Paz says that celebrations will no longer be authorized during regular school days. However, they can be held voluntarily on weekends. Government officials said they will take the clowns’ critiques into account when they make a decree for the 2027 school year.
But those assurances provided little relief to the clowns protesting on Monday.
Tailors who work with clowns and make dresses for children participating in cultural events joined Monday’s protest as well as photographers who typically work at school celebrations.
The alliance of clowns, photographers and costume makers marched through the centre of La Paz, blowing their whistles and setting off small fireworks.
