A long, cold night

The temperatures dropped last night and it was a long night for the demonstrators who were in the square in front of the Congress building. Most could never afford a hotel. They slept where they could.

Some kept warm around fires on which they cooked large pans of soup.

4000 police have been drafted in to control any problems. They were on duty all night in front of the Congress building. Today they have sealed roads into the area.

Yesterday the Catholic bishops held a press conference and later visited the President. They asked President Lugo to resign in order to avoid any violence from the people and to avoid bloodshed. He refused.

This morning lawyers are going to put the case that the impeachment of the President is unconstitutional and that the proper process has not been followed. Several South American countries have said that they will not recognise any new government because they have acted unconstitutionally. The USA has also warned that the move is unconstitutional.

The square is now full of people and many more campesinos are still arriving from other areas of the country.

Our school has been suspended for the day.