LIMA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Bolivians on Monday answered a call of President Evo Morales to join a week-long march to demand a referendum on his proposed constitution.

    Thousands of people from across Bolivia started marching towards La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia from the western city of Caracollo, after Morales finished a speech on people's rights to decide on the country's destiny in democratic ways.

    "If from here we begin with 5,000 demonstrators, for sure we will arrive in La Paz with more than one million," Morales said, adding that the massive march would "persuade that small group of opposition to allow us to change the country."

    The president also called on farmers living along the route to provide food and accommodations for the marchers, who are expected to arrive in La Paz on Oct. 20 after traveling some 200 km.

    The constitution proposed by Morales, which was already approved by the parliament in December, is expected to give the country's indigenous more rights and financial benefits.

    However, the opposition is vehemently against a referendum needed to turn the draft constitution into law, saying the document does not meet their demand of greater autonomy in the opposition-controlled eastern provinces.