For the last two days, in various points across Ecuador, the social movements and organizations have been, once again, on the warpath. The enemy, always the same at heart, today bears the name Free Trade Agreement. The Ecuadorians have decided to wage a frontal battle against that kind of “accord,” with which the United States hopes to take possession of the riches of our América. Or as the manifesto that we received from the nucleus of the new Ecuadorian mobilization says: “The model that the FTA imposes is based on the importation of what they don’t want… and in the exportation and privatization of our natural resources and the ransacking of our biodiversity.” Let’s go look at the story…
On November 9, on the eve of the signing of the Andean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the United States, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, the Federation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE in its Spanish initials) released a communiqué. Signing the FTA, said federation president Luis Macas, was equivalent to “allowing not just the goods but the life of present and future generations of Ecuadorians to be confiscated, as we will be submitted to the laws of transnational corporations and the geo-strategy of the United States.”
For that reason, as well as other demands (such as Occidental Petroleum’s exit from the country), Ecuador’s social organizations called for mobilization: “We call on the Ecuadorian people, on the social organizations, on the assemblies and all the popular sectors committed to profound change, to demand that the country rise to the task of QUE SE VAYAN TODOS” (“all of them must go,” meaning the political class).
And, logically, inside the circles of power, in the office of President Alfredo Palacio, no one paid attention to them. Because of that, since a little over 48 hours ago, Quito and a few Ecuadorian provinces have been living through some turbulent times.
Yesterday, for example, Macas and Blanca Chancoso, also from CONAIE, began leading a march that began in the historic town of Otavalo. “They are walking to Quito. It is a warning of what is coming if Palacio gives in to the minority, if he signs the FTA with Bush and hands our national sovereignty. Blanca Chancosa said that this symbolic occupation of Quito has the solidarity of all who dream of a new country, of a different country,” explains an article in Altercom.
Today (Wednesday), as yesterday, a huge march crossed the center of Quito… barrios, communities, and people representing no political party are in the streets in these days of resistance.
But in addition to reporting on this new earthquake of resistance, kind readers, we want to take advantage of the opportunity to show you a bit more about what these brave Ecuadorians do…
An “Escrache” to the Ambassador
Last night, the combative La Floresta neighborhood held one of its well known popular assemblies. The people of La Floresta decided to make “a peaceful march around the barrio, demonstrating its rejection of the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Ecuador and the United States,” as they explain in their communiqué to the press.
But they didn’t just hold a march… among the residents of the area, there is a particular woman these Ecuadorians decided to visit: “During the tour of the neighborhood, [the march] advanced towards the house of the U.S. ambassador, which was painted by the protesters who reject her presence, both in the neighborhood and in national territory.”
Yes, so it is: defying all “political logic” and any fear, the residents of La Floresta in Quito have gone to the trouble of visiting Doña Linda Jewell, who arrived recently to their lands, to tell her what they think about signing the agreement, as well as what they think about the George W. Bush administration and demanding to be left to live in peace, with dignity…
Just look:
With this action, which they labeled an “escrache” (a term invented in Argentina to describe demonstrations at the houses of the genocidal members of the last military dictatorship there), the people of Quito gave a warning… but this afternoon, seeing that the government still seemed to be paying them no regard, the Popular Combatants Group went to the same Embassy of the United States, setting off a pamphlet bomb… In fewer words, they aren’t afraid of the gringos in Ecuador, and they’re serious: none of this U.S.-style colonial “free trade” for them.
Keep paying attention to this advancing, growing story, kind readers, because this correspondent promises more news from the battle-tested popular front in Ecuador…
