Issue and Opponent: Since 1971, Bolivia had been under the grip of a right-wing authoritarian regime led by Hugo Banzer, originally installed in a U.S.-backed coup. Banzer suspended political parties and unions and imposed a compulsory civil service law that allowed the assignment of any Bolivian to any job. Banzer proposed national elections in which the junta would restrict the political debate primarily to mainstream conservative elements, and miners did not accept such conditions, leading hundreds of miners to be fired from their jobs, and many others arrested.
Dilemma Action: Four women, whose husbands were tin miners, began a hunger strike in December of 1977 that lasted for 23 days. Fifty other wives joined them, and their children were also a part of the strike. After facing criticism, the women agreed to let the children eat only if they were replaced by adult strikers. By January 18th, 1978, over 1,380 people were fasting. They were supported by churches, universities, and people in Mexico who fasted in solidarity. Banzer refused to negotiate and tried to discredit the women by accusing them of starving their children, but news reports were so obviously propaganda that he ended up looking unsympathetic and petty. On January 17th, the police raided churches and schools where hunger strikes were being held which resulted in videos of priests, mothers, and children being dragged from the buildings leading to public sympathy.
Outcomes: The next day, Banzer granted amnesty to anyone involved and conceded to all the demands of the strikes but refused to remove the army from the mining centers.