Campesinos and other social movements in eight regions of southern Peru have begun a 48-hour strike in support of the communities protesting the Tia Maria mining project. Hundreds of police were deployed in Arequipa, and most businesses shut their doors for the day. At least five civilians have been killed by the police since the protests began against the US$1.5 billion copper mining project. Last week the government declared a state of emergency in the region for up to 60 days. teleSUR