About 1,500 Indians marched in Ecuador's capital city of Quito to protest a free-trade deal with the U.S. as the government cracked down on protests elsewhere in the country.

A state of emergency in four provinces and two towns allowed soldiers and police to arrest and detain protesters. The government said it was clearing away road blockades set up by Indians.

The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador is leading the protests and wants President Alfredo Palacio to end free-trade talks and make other concessions. The group says a deal will hurt Indian farmers.

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Ecuador Mobilizing to Curb Indian Protests (AP 3/22)
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