Protests in defense of the Yasuni in several cities

Hundreds of farmers and indigenous people from Azuay and Cañar, convened by the Ecuarunari, marched yesterday to defend the Yasuní with the slogan  ‘the water and people comes first’.

The President of the national organization, Carlos Pérez Guartambel, said that they expected a response from the Constitutional Court about the referendum on the Yasuni, and after that they will define the agenda for demonstrations, since members of the Ecuarunari are reunited  in Loja, Carchi, Cañar, Cotopaxi and Pichincha to prepare new actions.

For their part, Fernanda Carrera and Carla Chauca, accepted the invitation of members of the Foundation ‘Manos abiertas’, and drew the palms of their hands in one of the signs that was hung in the the Montalvo Park, in front of the governorate of Tungurahua, as part of the activity that was held on Tuesday to defend the Yasuní.

Emilia Alvarado, Executive Director of the Foundation, said that the intention is to make  young people’s voices heard, and show their discontent over oil exploitation, to ensure the compliance of their right to live in a healthy and ecologically balanced environment according to what is determined in the Constitution.

In Quito, “Do not touch the Yasuni” or “Love life, protect the Yasuni,” were some of the phrases chanted by the protesters during the demonstration that was stopped by a group of policemen who prevented the passage of the demonstrators to the Plaza Mayor, where dozens of supporters of the ruling party have gathered.

The officers tried to stop the protests, throwing tear gas and verbal confrontations between them and the protesters were reported; there are several detainees.