GA Action at WTO Seattle - http://members.aol.com/pgacaravan
From: "UBV-Quito" <ctsueca at ECNET.ec>
20.1. 2000
ECUADOR A VOLCANO FULL OF CRATERS
The Levantamiento de los Pueblos (Uprising of the Peoples), which began this Saturday, the 15th, is turning into a great volcano with many craters burning with the discontent of the populace at large and indigenous people.
Thousands of indigenous people are blocking roadways, as they flow along roads connecting villages and inter-provincial roads en route to fortify the Toma de Quito (Takeover of Quito) and of other main cities. Thirty-five thousand members of the public forces bolstered by their violence and racism have not been able to stop us.
Dr. Mahuad, who has felt cornered by the large groups holding economic power, is now cornered and fenced in by his own tactics, barbed wire, tanks, military and police cordons and, most important, tens of thousands of discontented citizens.
His bureaucrats said we will not have the strength to call the people to action, that we don't have sufficient backing, that the struggle will peter out and that we will go home without accomplishing anything. That comes from arrogance and a feeling of self-sufficiency and servility towards his big money bosses, tyrants who with their economic policies have exercised the most criminal State terrorism in our history.
Dr. Mahuad, his bureaucrats and political cronies, whose mouths are stuffed with words about democracy, are daily closing in on absoutely NO popular support. If they really were democratic, they would respond to the voice of the people and resign; but that is not happening, as they are committed to defending their business enterprises and those of their friends who financed their electoral campaigns with thousands of dollars.
Direct participation of varied sectors of people living in the cities is extensive. There are not enough streets to hold the overflowing river of men, women and elderly, all of us aspiring to fashion a State and a society that is pluralistic, just, equitable and sovereign.
We are beginning to receive international backing for our Levantamiento de los Pueblos, as Dr. Mahuad soon will be receiving letters rejecting his repressive and anti-democratic stance.
The time for our peoples is nigh, for the good of all Ecuadorans, because we are real, one word, one voice, one thought, one heart and one fist.
Report of 20 January 2000
LOJA Roads to Cuenca and Zamora are closed. Various sectors of the populace marching in the city.
AZUAY Roads closed. Huge marches in Cuenca.
CANAR Total blockade. Meetings of local parliaments continue. Markets out of provisions.
CHIMBORAZO Roads blocked. In San Andres, the Army represses with bullets and bombs.
Alausi reports meetings and total blockades, with hundreds participating. No vehicles are circulating.
At the exit to Chambo there is brutal repression by the military against our indigenous brothers.
Evangelical churches are joining the uprising, pointing out the posture of the national leaders, who have sold out to the Government.
In Riobamba more than 15,000 indigenous people are marching in the city.
TUNGURAGUA They have managed to get back the vehicles requisitioned to transport people and produce destined for the takeover of Quito. The Governor committed himself to not stop the marches and blockades. Mayorista Market closed.
BOLIVAR A huge march of 5,000 indigenous people inundates the city of Guaranda with university students, villagers and professionals participating.
COTOPAXI Total closure. Markets out of provisions. Marches in Latacunga.
PICHINCHA More and more indigenous people arriving to consolidate the takeover of Quito. Enormous marches taking place. Retired military, students, workers, and villagers joining and giving their support to our struggles. Main access roads to the Historic District blocked. National Congress cordoned off by thousands of indigenous people. University students organize marches from the outskirts of the city to Quito.
IMBABURA All roads closed. The parliament of Imbabura decrees closure of the markets, and the produce of anyone who does not comply will be confiscated and destined for feeding the thousands of indigenous peoples at the taking of Quito.
CARCHI All roads closed. The municipal offices of Canton Mira have been seized.
ZAMORA CHINCHIPE Blockades have begun. Our organization ZAMASQUIJAT has reached an agreement with the transport drivers, who are joining in the uprising. Roads are closed.
MORONA SANTIAGO Paralysis that began several days ago continues. All roads are closed. Gas and fuel supplies have run out.
PASTAZA Total blockade. Great mobilization. The organization of Indigenous Peoples of Pastaza is preparing for an indigenous march within the next few days. Students, professionals and peoople living in rural areas will take part to add reinforcement to the taking of Quito and they will walk 400 kilometers. The Nacionalidad Shuar de Pastaza is participating actively in the uprising and endorses the demands expressed.
NAPO All roads blocked. Meetings of local parliaments continue, along with marches in all cantons.
SUCUMBIOS All roads blocked. Marches of people from all strata of society in Lago Agrio.
ESMERALDAS Marches in the city more numerous with each passing day. The Federacion Provincial de Barrios de Esmeraldas (Provincial Federation of Neighborhoods of Esmeraldas) in observance of the order of the Federacion Nacional de Barrios del Ecuador, is coordinating actions to fortify the uprising of the people.
LOS RIOS Ventanas Four thousand people marched starting at dawn. Approximately 500 more indigenous people will join these marches during the day today. Since 4:00 a.m. all roads have been blocked. Five people wounded by bullets fired by police of Quevedo.
GUAYAQUIL Marches in the morning and an evening march by torchlight.