Autonomy campaign ends prior to Sunday vote in Bolivia

(CNN) - Thousands of people packed a broad street Wednesday in downtown Santa Cruz, Boliva, listening to speakers urge them to vote "Si" Sunday on a referendum seeking autonomy for the eastern department of Santa Cruz.

Autonomy "is a fundamental right to be creators of our own destiny; autonomy is an essential part of our liberty," said Santa Cruz Prefect Ruben Costas Aguilera.

But a mine union worker opposed the supporters of autonomy. "They want to divide our departments and the whole Bolivian people," he told a reporter. "We're not going to permit that the country be divided."