image source, AFP
During the night there were clashes with stones and burning tires.
The march called this Wednesday by the Unitary Front of Workers, the largest workers’ union in Ecuador, in rejection of various policies of the government of Rafael Correa, ended with clashes between protesters and police.
Indigenous people, environmentalists, students and retirees also participated in the mobilization.
The main demand of the protest was the rejection of some announced changes to the labor laws, which according to Correa seek greater equality.
Ecuadorian police agents informed BBC Mundo that dozens of people were injured in the act held in the Plaza de San Francisco, which brought together more than 5,000 protesters.
image source, access point
The police speak of 15 wounded within their forces.
“When the political act was advanced, a group of hooded youths went to a street intersection closed by police with riot gear. The throwing of objects was responded to by dozens of agents with repeated charges against the mobilized, which also affected Journalists and leaders who were not participating,” said the BBC Mundo collaborator, José Alonso Seco, from Quito.
injured police officers
The authorities also indicated that 15 policemen were injured in various ways and that several people were detained. There were also some clashes between small groups of supporters of President Correa and opponents.
Carlos Pérez, president of Ecuarunari, an indigenous organization from the mountains, told BBC Mundo that “a national strike that could be combined with an indigenous uprising is not ruled out.” They indicated that they will consult with their bases to make a decision.
“We fight for the right to organize, the defense of our rights as workers and to stop the laws of the exploiters,” said Mecías Tatamúez, one of the workers’ leaders to the Reuters agency.
The eviction was achieved between races and shouts against the police and against President Correa.
Starting at 5 in the afternoon, a group of students confronted the police with stones in the vicinity of the Mejía National Institute. The altercations culminated around 10 p.m. local time.
“Some young people withdrew with the message ‘tomorrow at the same time,” said the collaborator of BBC Mundo in Quito, José Alonso Seco.
image source, access point
It is considered one of the largest protests against the Correa government.
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Indigenous leaders did not rule out a national strike.
image source, AFP
People ran screaming at the police.
“We are making a more equitable country”
The head of the Ministry of the Interior, José Serrano, made a call through Twitter for the “sanity and tranquility of the citizenry to reject these acts of violence head-on.”
Witnesses assure that it is one of the largest mobilizations that the Correa government has experienced at least in the last two years.
This Wednesday, Correa’s supporters also demonstrated in the Plaza de la Independencia, where the Carondelet presidential palace is located, to counter the opposition march.
“We are working based on justice for the common good. We do not have to repent, nor apologize to anyone, history will judge us. We are making a more equitable country,” Correa told his supporters from a stage, accompanied by several ministers.
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Correa stressed that during his government employment levels and wages have improved.
image source, Getty
Correa supporters play in the Plaza de la Independencia.
