After two weeks of marching, more than 1,000 activists reached Ecuador’s capital on Thursday to protest mining projects on their lands.

The protest brought Quito to a standstill, according to news reports. Indian leaders called on President Rafael Correa to reconsider his push to develop the nation's copper, gold and other resources.

“We want Ecuador to know that there are people here who are willing to question and tell the president his mistakes,” Humberto Cholango, the president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities, told a television station, according to the Associated Press.

Correa has accused Indian activists of being anti-government.

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Indigenous marchers protest in Ecuador’s capital against mining project on their lands (AP 3/22)
Protesting natives shut down Ecuador capital (AFP 3/22)

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