LONDON – Members of the African People’s Socialist Party UK (APSP-UK) attended a rally at the Ecuadorian Consulate in the Uganda House at Trafalgar Square in London on October 1, 2010.
The rally followed a separate emergency protest organised by the Movement of Ecuadorians in the UK (MERU) on September 30.
The rally was organized in opposition to a right wing reactionary coup attempt led by elements inside the police force.
Around 50 people came out in support in an hour’s notice, including members of Polo Democratico Colombia, Rock Around the Blockade, Bolivia Solidarity Campaign, Colombia Solidarity Campaign, Latin American Recognition Campaign and the Unite trade union.
Representatives from the Ecuadorian embassy in the UK also attended.
APSP-UK members listened to the rally via an interpreter. An APSP representative also read a solidarity statement by the African Socialist International (ASI), stating:
“We call on all African people to unite with the democratic aspirations of the people of Ecuador and support the struggle to end the status quo in Ecuador and throughout South America.
“Long live the struggle of the Ecuadorian people for control over their own lives and resources!”
The ASI solidarity statement was well received at the rally. It can be viewed in its entirety at uhurunews.com.
President Correa tear gassed by police, hospitalized
During the coup attempt, the police tear gassed the President. He was then taken to the nearest hospital, where he remained overnight.
News went out about the situation, and before 6 a.m. people had convened outside the hospital.
Demonstrators included both civilians and soldiers, who confronted the police demanding that that their president be released.
Other groups also were making propaganda and news. The airports and some businesses closed down.
There was much misinformation, and many people, unsure of what a potential government shutdown might mean, went to supermarkets to stock up on food.
President Correa remained in contact via mobile phone from his hospital room during the incident. At no point did the executive lose control of the state.
Aftermath of the coup attempt
Following the initial violence, public servants in other sectors affected by the reforms also demonstrated.
Armed forces were on the streets to maintain tranquility and to protect the democratic constitution.
The mayor of Quito, Ecuador’s capitol, and several different provincial governors called for calm. The Ecuadorian government also received support from its Latin American brothers and sisters.
Two people have been killed since the event, though circumstances surrounding those deaths are not known.
It is known that many civilians who came out to defend their democracy during the violence were injured.
After his return to the presidential palace, President Correa said that the police had been infiltrated by Ex-president Alfredo Palacio’s agents.
The events enabled the democratically-elected government to see ‘who was who’ and what positions those in positions of power took during the crisis.
President Correa plans to seek out the individuals who were behind the unrest and to prosecute them.
The president also plans to continue implementing changes in his country, including in the health sector, to improve the basic standard of living in the community.
Ecuadorian government organizes against US-Ecuador police deals
The Ecuadorian police forces have a history of deal-making with the US without consent from the Ecuadorian government.
For instance, there was an agreement between the police and the US government regarding narcotics.
Since the coup attempt, the government will decide who will become the new chief of police.
The US’s response has been a threat to withdraw all aid and support from Ecuador.
However, it is clear from the Ecuadorian police’s failed coup attempt that the people will prevail.
The world is changing and US imperialism cannot rule as it has been used to doing in Latin America.
The people are fighting back and are taking control of their resources, lives and destiny. All peoples have the right to self determination.
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!
