Protest taking place on Avenida Universitaria in Loja, Ecuador.
Photo: Gina Yauri

Despite the rain, on March 19 citizens participated in a protest in Loja, Ecuador, which spread over seven blocks, to express their discontent of the current government. Labor code reforms, extended reelections, free access to education, and the recent exchange rate safeguards on imports were some of the issues that caused hundreds of demonstrators from several Ecuadorian cities to take to the streets. 

Opposition demonstrators reject extended reelections.  
Photo: Gina Yauri

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. No to extended reelection!” 

Several organizations gathered in Plaza de San Sebastián de Loja; from there, they marched through the streets of Bernardo Valdivieso, Azuay, Avenida Universitaria, Colón, and Bolívar, finally arriving at Plaza Central where government sympathizers were found to be assembled. 

Regime sympathizers, protected by the National Police, outside government offices in Loja.
Photo: Gina Yauri

There was a gathering of around 600 regime supporters waving green flags, of which represent the ruling party, Alianza País, in addition to police protection outside government buildings. Fortunately, neither group was reported to have caused any incidents.  

Publicist Stefany Rivera (@StefyRivera) compares the March 19 (19M) demonstrators to government sympathizers. 

Here, there is police protection, but none of that “there's more of us than the Ecuadorian people's march” stuff.  #19M #Loja pic.twitter.com/nDQcRWwHv5

— Stefany Rivera (@StefyRivera) marzo 19, 2015

Protests were also carried out by both opposition and government sympathizers in other cities from around the country such as Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, Loja, Ambato, Latacunga, Ibarra, Portoviejo, and Orellana.  

However, in Quito, the nation's capital, demonstratos caused unrest, of which included assulting media outlets such as Teleamazonas and Gamatv that were covering the march. 

Anchorwoman Diana León (@Diana_LeonRe) uploaded a photo to her Twitter account depicting the aggression. 

Demonstrators attack 2 journalists #Quito #19M #DL pic.twitter.com/Zm8DNEHI0n

— Diana León Rennella (@Diana_LeonRe) marzo 20, 2015

In this march, Andre Aguirre (@AndreRakoon) expresses her euphoria. 

#Quito #NoSeAhuevaCarajo #marcha #19M “When those on the bottom start to move, those on top fall.” pic.twitter.com/Ltlb5oHNEu

— Andre Aguirre (@AndreRakoon) marzo 20, 2015

Psychologist Lilith לילית (@LilithdBeauvoir) tweeted the following: 

#19M #NoPlanFamilia #Quito rises up damn it!! You don't play around with Quito. pic.twitter.com/aEgDsvxlN6

— Lilith לילית (@LilithdBeauvoir) marzo 20, 2015