Chacao palm collectors in another environmental row (Danilo Anderson, same prosecutor )

www.vheadline.com Posted: Thursday, March 13, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

A court measure taken against the Chacao Mayor’s Office could affect the famous Chacao Palm Sunday collectors, who for 235 years have cut palms for the Holy Week religious ceremonies in the Avila hillsides.

According to opposition Mayor Leopoldo Lopez, Judge Danilo Anderson, who made the ruling, has mounted a campaign against the municipality.

Last year the “Palmeros,” as they are known, were refused permission to cut palms after complaints of environmental damage.

In the end they were allowed into the Avila for three days (not the usual two weeks camping) accompanied by National Park (Inparques) rangers to monitor proceedings.

Lopez says he will meet representatives from Inparques and the Control judge to see how far the measure affects the “Palmeros.”

The Mayor recalls that the “Palmeros” are represented on the Environmental Brigade that he set up last year after the controversy.