Written by Daniel Denvir, Jennifer Moore, and Teresa Velasquez for UpsideDownWorld | |
Wednesday, 19 November 2008 | |
![]() Photo by Ximena Warnaar With strong turnout in five different parts of the country, the day of action was an important demonstration of growing social movement unity and independence from the government of President Rafael Correa. Activists call Monday's mobilization the beginning of a broader movement to confront Correa's environmental policies. The Ecuadorian Left has increasingly distanced itself from the government after broadly supporting the approval of a new constitution in September. In Quito, hundreds of people from rural communities threatened by mining throughout Ecuador's Northern highlands, especially from the northwestern area of Intag, participated. Intag has blocked the entrance of mining companies since the early 1990s and is currently fighting the Canadian-financed transnational Ascendant Copper. ![]() Photo by Vicente Polit Metal mining has been promoted in Ecuador since the early nineties, however, no large-scale project has yet to reach production. ![]() Photo by Jennifer Moore In the southern highlands city of Cuenca, the country's third largest, some 600 people participated. The march, which wove through the colonial city streets, was led by the Unified Community Water Systems of Azuay (UNAGUAS) and the Federation of Campesino Organizations. More than nine rural communities were represented. ![]() Water Ritual to Syrengthen River - Photo by Luis Manuel Claps A member of the rural water system from Victoria-Tarqui said, "We have come out in defense of water which is life for the entire country. It is Correa's fault that we are out here. We are defending the wetlands of Quimsacocha, our water." |
Thursday, November 20, 2008
In Ecuador, Mass Mobilizations Against Mining Confront President Correa
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