Environmental groups will collect signatures to save the Yasuni

Once the President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, announced last Thursday during a national broadcast a plan called ‘Plan B’ which consists in the exploitation of the ITT (Ishpingo, Tambococha and Tiputini) block located in the Yasuni National Park, young people came out to the streets to protest for what they consider is an attack to the environment.

Yesterday in Quito around 200 protesters marched in favour of the protection of the Yasuni, and they wanted to reach the Plaza Grande, but a cordon of policemen blocked them.

In other cities like Machala, Cuenca, Puyo and Guayaquil people are also organizing marches and protests, but  activists from other organizations  were the ones to promote the collection of signatures so that the subject is treated through  a referendum.

For this reason, the President challenged them to collect signatures which have to reach 5% of the electoral roll, and today one of the groups will consult  the National Electoral Council  on procedures to start collecting signatures,  activist Esperanza Martínez said.

On the other hand, the collective Hip Hop Organizado will record tomorrow, a  song in defense of the Yasuni, which, according to members of the Group , poses that the environment concerns to everyone, not only for or benefit  but of all sectors.