ACAPb Accompanies San Salvador Residents Threatened by the Beltway and Bypass

ACAPb Accompanies San Salvador Residents Threatened by the Beltway and Bypass—and Is Intimidated by Police

On Monday, April 24 th at 9am, the Association of Communities Affected by the Beltway and bypass (ACAPb) were preparing to accompany residents of the San Antonio Abad neighborhood during a press conference. The press conference was designed to lift up residents’ concerns about the construction of roads to connect the beltway portions, for which the government needs the San Antonio Abad residents’ land. In order to be able to construct the connecting road, the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) will have to buy the right of way where currently at least 96 families live.

Residents are protesting the below-market rate prices offered by the MOP for their land, and in coordination, the majority have refused to sell. The MOP is offering residents from $6 to $28 per square meter, yet independent experts estimate that the appropriate price for the land is $94 per square meter. When residents were initially approached to sell their land last year, some were offered this higher price; yet now the companies is threatening to reduce the price further if residents fail to sell.

At approximately 9:30am, five National Civilian Police cars arrived with officers sent to protect the road construction workers from "possible aggression" from the group of unarmed demonstrators from the community and ACAPb, largely women, children, and senior citizens. Given this situation, and in the presence of several reporters from the mass media, the members of ACAPb, along with 60 residents affected by the construction, decided to block the street for two hours to prevent the passage of heavy vehicles. The demonstrators then protested in front of the area where the construction company keeps its machinery. The workers of the CONASA and EMIRSA companies made fun of the demonstrators and tapped knives on their legs in a threatening manner.

Once the activity concluded, ACAPb members from the San Jacinto and Ciudad Delegado neighborhoods were taking the Route 16 bus to return to their homes. When the bus arrived at the Escalón Gallery, one of the police cars that had been present during the protest stopped the bus, made the passengers unboard, and questioned each passenger. One officer found the statement given to the press at the press conference that morning and asked pointed questions about the activity. Luckily, there were no detentions or arrests.

On Tuesday, April 25 th, La Prensa Gráfica , El Diario de Hoy, and CoLatino newspapers, along with Channel 33, reported on the press conference and street blockage, including the public denunciation against the MOP by the communities of San Antonio Abad.

The ACAPb has again demonstrated that with few resources, but with will, courage, coordinated activities and the clever use of opportunities, it is possible to have impact and to voice the concerns of poor Salvadorans. SHARE is hopeful that these actions will lead to true negotiation between the MOP and the affected people of San Antonio Abad so that they are paid a fair price for their land.