Christian Quito

In Ecuador, during the presidency of Lenin Moreno, a series of neoliberal policies were gradually implemented that generated a social unrest that was already latent.  There were more and more layoffs in the public sector, decreased stipends for health professionals, among other measures called “austerity” by the government.  A final trigger occurred on the night of October 1st, 2019, when the Executive, through a national channel, announced Decree No. 883.  The regulations were described by the population as an “economic package.”  This fact summoned to the streets various social sectors of the country such as the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), Unitary Front of Workers (FUT), National Federation of Peasant, Indigenous and Black Organizations (Fenocin), Popular Front (FP) , Federation of Public Passenger Transport Cooperatives (Fenacotip), Federation of University Students of Ecuador (FEUE) among others.

The social protest in different parts of the country was increasing in tension, aggression and violence.  During that time, several events took place, such as the state of emergency decree, which temporarily suspended and altered some constitutional rights and made it possible for the army and the police to participate in the brutal acts of repression against the protesters.  On the other hand, the Executive, in a “strategic” way, decided to transfer the seat of government to the coastal city of Guayaquil due to the large number of protesters concentrated in the capital (Quito, in the Ecuadorian highlands).

In the southern part of the country, in the city of Cuenca, citizens took to the streets almost immediately to strongly express their rejection of Moreno’s policies.  People commented that the increase in the price of fuel leads directly to the increase in the cost of public transport and basic necessities.  In the Historic Center of Cuenca several people used nonviolent means to express their discontent in the face of the atrocious repression and the measures taken by the government.  The demonstrators played musical instruments and danced in different protest spaces.  The Jayac group’s song titled Zapateando Juyayay was adapted as follows:

They go down the hill Juyayay

All Ecuadorians Juyayay

They go through the Hill Juyayay

All Ecuadorians Juyayay

Coast, mountains and east juyayay

Rejecting the package juyayay

Coast, mountains and east juyayay

Rejecting the package juyayay

Cops shooting gases around here

They are kicking students over there

The repression and bombings around here

The unfounded violence is enough.

These forms of nonviolent resistance were repeated for several days in different places in the city of Cuenca.  A large number of families, fearing repression, decided to make their protests from their homes through the famous “cacerolazo”.  Other people donated food and lent their homes so that the protesters can rest.  These nonviolent actions were an effective symbol of protest, since it was possible for a large number of people of all ages and genders to join the demonstrations, thus also avoiding the participation of infiltrators.  Finally, it was possible to maintain the social protest actively during the eleven (11) days.

In this context, the universities were also present during the October protests.  The students of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Cuenca called for themselves from the beginning of the strike to carry out various strategic and creative nonviolent actions.  In the first instance, a peaceful march was organized from the University to Calderón Park, where the Provincial Government of Azuay is located.  There, loudly and with banners, the students spoke out against “the package.”

In later days, the students protested on the streets of the city with banners in hand, but the police force dispersed them:  they intimidated them and then sprayed them directly in the face with pepper spray. The police attempt to disperse the protesters was not effective and they resorted to more violence, running over several students with their horses.  There were several badly injured students on the road. This outraged the people who witnessed this event and expressed their solidarity with the students, questioning the violent police action.  Several pedestrians confronted the police to demand respect and solidarity with the people.

The student protest did not stop despite the violent state repression, on the contrary:  it encouraged creativity.  Thus, the students decided to stamp hundreds of bills with the slogan “Don’t shut up the street, #FueraFMI, October 2019.”  This initiative even continued despite the end of the national strike.  The objective of this strategy was aimed at keeping the memory of the events alive, since a media siege led by the traditional media was generated, evidencing a clear bias in favor of the government.

Another nonviolent response of the students to the brutal state repression consisted of the so-called “Resistance from silence”, which took place on October 12 —a date that commemorates interculturality and plurinationality in Ecuador—.  Banners were made, images alluding to the chaos that was going through the country were compiled, and candles were prepared with a black ribbon in homage to the deceased.  The participants had to cover their mouths during the act as a symbol of protest.  The march, which began at the University towards the Historic Center, stopped at the intersections of the roads where there was a police and military guard.  In that place, a Tayta —spiritual guide— performed a purification ritual from the Andean worldview. Later, a person removed for a moment the tape that covered his mouth and recited the names of the people who died or were injured. A candle was left in that place.

Finally, upon reaching the Plaza de las Flores, the Tayta made a chakana with products brought by the attendees such as grains, flowers, fruits, candles, incense, among others.  This ritual served not only as purification, it was also a way of catharsis for each of the attendees since they were able to express their emotions during the ritual.  On the other hand, the police and military members who were located behind the wire fences were able to experience the pain of the citizenry through this ritual.  In addition, this allowed many people to join this act, since it became a safe place in which children and older adults participated.

On October 13, Decree No. 883 was repealed and a joint commission was established between the government, the indigenous movement, and other sectors to prepare the new decree.  The national strike reaffirmed a solid social organization and the courage of a people that was present in different ways:  on the front line, pot-rashing (casserole), volunteering in shelters and community kitchens, caring for the wounded, among others.  Both in Cuenca and in the rest of the country, it was evident how solidarity, art and culture took to the streets for eleven (11) days.  Finally, the story must also be told by “ordinary people” to keep alive in memory the events of pain and brotherhood experienced in that October that demonstrated the union of a country in solidarity with the legitimate social protest.

Christian Quito

Psychologist, Ecuadorian Red Cross volunteer, passionate about collaborative work with communities. He has experience in psychological first aid and dealing with girls, boys, adolescents and their families in vulnerable situations.