Continuing protest hamstrings Zimbabwe
Tuesday,June3,2003,7:52 PM
Harare, Zimbabwe-AP -- Much of Zimbabwe was shut down today by a general strike aimed at toppling President Robert Mugabe (moo-GAH'-bay). Most banks, shops, and other businesses remained closed during the second day of a week-long protest. Opponents of Mugabe want to drive him from office after 23 years in power.
Demonstrators tried to gather in the capital but were quickly broken up by security forces. They used rubber clubs, rifle butts, water cannons, tear gas, and warning shots with live ammunition.
Mugabe is blamed for driving Zimbabwe into political and economic ruin. There are shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and currency. Annual inflation is 269 percent. Widespread starvation has been avoided only with international aid.
Mugabe pushed passage of tough new security laws last year that let the government ban public gatherings.
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