Behind the repression of which several women denounced having been victims during the mobilizations for the International Women’s Day, in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, the National Police issued a statement in which he assured that “he acted with the purpose of protecting public order and general well-being.”
According to the institution’s version, the marches took place “peacefully” and in some cases were accompanied by agents. “However, at night, a group of people who participated in the mobilizations tried to enter areas whose access was restricted”, reads the statement released on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 9.
What has been said refers to what happened in Quito, when the march tried to enter the Plaza Grande, in the Historic Center, where the Carondelet Palace is located. On Mejía and Venezuela streets, the women ran into metal fences and a contingent of riot police officers and the Mounted Policewho blocked the way.
Given the insistence of the demonstrators to access the Plaza Grande, some of them carried lighted torches, the uniformed officers repelled the crowd by throwing pepper spray. In the march there were older adults and children.
One of those affected by the police response was the journalist Viviana Erazoof the digital medium Wambrawho was covering the mobilization and recorded the moment in which he was attacked with batons and received pepper spray in the face. This was also captured by women who were close to her and helped her.
Through his Twitter account, Erazo expressed his displeasure. “This happens on International Women’s Day, while the authorities give speeches proclaiming to defend our rights, I was beaten by a policeman which also released gas directly into my eyes. I was just doing my job as a journalist, reporting,” he wrote moments after the attack.
In the statement of the Police, the institution does not mention this event or any other in particular. He pointed out that “in agreement with the national government and in compliance with the Constitution of the Republic, works permanently to guarantee, without any discrimination, the effective enjoyment of human rights, in addition to the total defense of freedom of expression and peaceful social mobilization”.
Due to the events that occurred on March 8, the Secretary of Human Rights of the Government, Bernarda Ordóñez, expressed solidarity with the women and announced that he will ask for explanations from the Police, in addition to investigations and sanctions to those possibly responsible.
“The cause that has pursued my life has always been and will be to eradicate all types of violence against girls and women. My rejection of the facts raised yesterday in the framework of International Women’s Day “, published on social networks.
Activists, organizations and social groups also expressed their support for the women attacked and condemned the actions of the police. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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