Unusual protest in South America: Hundreds of clowns took to the streets, asking the minister "if he had a childhood"

With full makeup on their faces and distinctive red noses, clowns gathered on Monday in front of the Ministry of Education in La Paz to protest a regulation issued in February. The new measure mandates that schools must have 200 teaching days per year, which in practice prohibits the organization of special events where these entertainers are often hired.

In Bolivia, clowns are frequently engaged for school celebrations to entertain children during breaks from regular classes. One such event is Children's Day, celebrated in the country on April 12.

"This regulation will economically impact all of us who work with children," said Wilder Ramírez, leader of the local clowns' union, also known as Zapallito. He told reporters that "children need to laugh," while his colleagues questioned whether Bolivia's education minister ever had a childhood.

The regulation, enacted by the government of recently elected President Rodrigo Paz, states that celebrations will no longer be allowed during regular school days, though they can be held voluntarily on weekends. Government officials said they will consider the clowns' criticisms when drafting the regulation for the 2027 school year.

However, these assurances brought little relief to the clowns protesting on Monday.

"This regulation will reduce our income, and with the economic crisis the country is going through, our future looks increasingly bleak," said Elías Gutiérrez, spokesperson for the Confederation of Artisan Workers of Bolivia.

Bolivia is facing its worst economic crisis in decades. Natural gas revenues have sharply declined after a prolonged drop in production, and U.S. dollars are becoming scarcer, making imports more expensive in this landlocked country.

Tailors who work with clowns and make costumes for children for cultural events, as well as photographers who typically cover school celebrations, joined Monday's protest.

Clowns, photographers, and costume makers marched through downtown La Paz, blowing whistles and setting off small fireworks.

One clown carried a sign saying the government "is taking away smiles and taking away jobs."