Major roadways across Ecuador were closed yesterday as indigenous groups joined by labor, campesino, and civil society organizations began a national strike against proposed constitutional amendments that would curtail indigenous rights and allow President Rafael Correa to stay in power indefinitely.

The "March for Life and Dignity" began last month as dozens of indigenous leaders set out from the southern province of Zamora in a 500-mile walk to the capital city of Quito. After winding their way through Andean peaks and valleys for close to two weeks, the march crescendoed into thousands as it descended into Quito last night.

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