Indigenous Ecuadorians continue their anti-government protests in Quito for the second week in a row against conservative President Guillermo Lazo, who accuses them of seeking to “topple him.”

On the eighth day of protests, indigenous people began a peaceful procession on foot, on motorcycles and trucks towards the center of the capital from Kutoglagua, one of its southern entrances, where they had been gathering since Sunday. Hundreds also arrived from the north in Quito, which has a population of three million. In the street, occupied by men and women with children, some waved Ecuadorian flags, others waved sticks or shields.

In the coastal city of Guayaquil in the country’s southwest, two massive rallies were held on Monday, one for peace and one against the government. In Parliament on Monday evening, MPs approved with 81 votes out of 137 a resolution calling for the government’s proposal for “serious, clear and honest” dialogue and calling for a “round table involving the UN, the Red Cross, universities.” and the Catholic Church to find solutions to the crisis.”

Defense Minister Luis Lara said in a statement along with representatives of the armed forces that “democracy in Ecuador is in great danger due to the concerted actions of extremists that hinder the freedom of movement of the majority of Ecuadorians”, noting that “the armed forces will not allow attempts to disrupt the constitutional order or take any action against democracy and the laws of the republic.