Ecuadorian Indigenous People against Mining Bill

Quito, Nov 17 (Prensa Latina) Indigenous and social organizations have mobilized to protest in several Ecuadorian regions against a mining bill that the government submitted to Congress.

Called by The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and the Coordinator for the Defense and Conservation of Northwestern Pichincha (CODECONO), the protests will take place in the cities of Quito, Tena, Cuenca, Loja, Riobamba and Ambato, among others.

CONAIE President Marlon Santi expressed opposition to the government's mining proposition, because social sectors did not participate in its design.

Some articles endanger the indigenous territories and communities, he warned, adding that the mobilizations will begin on Monday in the province of Imbabura, north of this capital.

We will mobilize some 20,000 people to block roads, Santi said on Sunday.

For its part, CODECONO said in a communiqué that hundreds of demonstrators would arrive in Quito on Monday to march against the mining bill.

If approved, the act would end the indigenous people's initiatives to increase production and preserve their territories, the press release says.