Two indigenous Ecuadorian women watching the protest (Photo: Joshua Collins)

Such a determined protest would never happen in the U.S. We are too divided, too partisan and too timid to confront the government in such a unified fashion.

It was a coordinated nation-wide strike that paralyzed this country of 17 million people.

As the Battle of Quito raged, indigenous protesters shut down national highways, occupied oil refineries, shuttered businesses and displayed once again that at least here in Ecuador, they will not be ignored.

I am a sucker for people power. It gets me every time. Maybe that’s why I do what I do. To me, it was inspirational.

your humble and red-eyed narrator (Photo: Joshua Collins)

“A nation united will never be defeated” the protesters chanted over and over.

They were right.

In the end, the protesters won. Negotiations between tribal leaders and the government sent the protesters streaming into the park which only a few hours before had been a battlefield.

The people of Quito flocked to the streets and the victorious indigenous were given a hero’s welcome.

The party lasted throughout the night. Exhausted, I walked to my hostel smiling. I knew I wouldn’t have any more work during my stay in Quito (Peace doesn’t sell as they say) but the infectious joy of a people that had bent a nation to it’s will was contagious.

Peace had come once again to Quito.

I’ve never been so happy to be unemployed in my life.