New Delhi, March 31 -- Dozens of clowns marched through the streets of Bolivia's capital on Monday to protest a government decree that limits extracurricular activities, threatening their livelihoods.

Wearing full face paint and their signature red noses, the clowns gathered in front of the Ministry of Education in La Paz to oppose a decree published in February. The new mandate says schools must comply with 200 days of lessons each year - effectively banning schools from hosting the special events where these entertainers are frequently employed.

"This decree will economically affect all of us who work with children," said Wilder Ramirez, a leader of the local clown union, who also goes by the name of Zapallito. The clown told journali...