Above PHoto: A demonstrator walks between police and a fire set by opposition protesters near the National Assembly in Quito, Ecuador, Dec. 3, 2015. teleSUR
Protesters were seen throwing rocks at police after lawmakers approved a slew of constitutional amendments.
Violence broke out near Ecuador’s National Assembly in Quito Thursday, with elements of the opposition throwing rocks and other projectiles after lawmakers passed a series of constitutional amendments.
According to sources on the ground and posts on social media from Interior Minister Jose Serrano, individuals began throwing rocks and projectiles at the police soon after passage. Several explosions from fireworks could also be heard.
Protesters appeared to be attempting to break through police lines and reach the offices of the National Assembly.
Several police officers could be seen walking away from the melee with apparent injuries.
Grupo violento de oposición agrede con lanzas, piedras y palos a miembros de la Policia Nacional pic.twitter.com/Ynmt4pNDZG
— José Serrano Salgado (@ppsesa) December 3, 2015
“Violent opposition group assaults members of the National Police with spears, sticks and stones.”
With a vote of 100 to 8, the National Assembly approved Thursday a package of 15 constitutional amendments.
The amendments touch on a wide variety of subjects, including declaring communication mediums a public service, changes to regulations governing public sector workers—including the extension of the right to unionize—and a reduction in the age requirement for the office of president, dropping from 35 to 30.
One hundred and nine representatives were present for the vote. Several opposition lawmakers boycotted the final debate, while others left before the vote took place. There was one abstention.
As required by the constitution, the amendments were presented before the National Assembly for the second time following a year-long socialization of their contents throughout the country.
Protests earlier in the day were mostly peaceful, though there were occasional clashes between opposition protesters and the police, as well as pro-government demonstrators.
Thursday’s anti-government protests were much smaller than those held earlier this year.
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