REBEL OCTOBER
“Rebel October” is a photographic project that documents the massive protests that shook Ecuador in October 2019, a historic moment in which the indigenous movement emerged as a protagonist in the struggle for social justice, collective rights and against the neoliberal economic policies promoted by the government of the time. This project captures the essence of a popular uprising that not only moved the country, but resonated throughout Latin America, becoming a symbol of resistance and solidarity.
The images in “Rebel October” portray the strength, rage and dignity of a people who took to the streets to defend their rights. The photographs show men, women, indigenous youth and elders, peasants, workers and students, united in a single voice of protest. The streets of Quito and other cities became scenes of confrontation, but also of hope, where resistance was woven with slogans, banners and the firm determination not to give in to repression.
One of the most striking moments of this project is the visual tribute to the 11 comrades who lost their lives during the protests. Among them, Inocencio Tucumbi, an indigenous leader whose murder marked a turning point in the conflict. His death not only sparked outrage in Ecuador, but also moved all of Latin America, reminding people that the struggle for justice has a cost, but also a profound meaning.
“Mamá del Paro” is a moving testimony that portrays the life of mothers who carry their children on their backs during protests, because the struggle does not stop and is done in community. These women, with their strength and love, show us that children are not an obstacle, but a fundamental part of the resistance. They are the life that beats in the midst of the struggle, the future that is defended with every step, every chant, every slogan.
“Solo Pueblo Salva al Pueblo” In the darkest moments, when injustices seem insurmountable, it is the people who rise up to extend a hand, to share bread, to defend what belongs to all. It is not the powerful, nor empty speeches, but the collective strength of those who, from below, build hope. The people, with their wisdom, their resistance and their solidarity, are the only ones who can heal, protect and liberate.
The photographs in “Rebel October” seek not only to document the events, but also to preserve the memory of those who gave their all in this struggle. Each image is a testimony of resistance, a reminder that unity and popular organization are powerful tools to confront injustice. This project is a tribute to the fallen, to those who fought and to those who continue to believe in a more just and equitable future.
“Rebel October” is not only photography, it is putting body and soul.
Through photography and video, “Octubre Rebelde” stands as a visual and sound testimony of resistance, a project that not only documents history, but also contributes to the construction of its own visuality, close and committed to the causes of the indigenous movement and the popular camp. It is an invitation to look, listen and feel the struggle from an interdisciplinary perspective, where each image and each frame are part of a broader fabric of memory, resistance and hope.
“Rebel October” is not only a historical record, it is an invitation to reflect on the power of social mobilization, the importance of collective memory and the need to continue fighting for a world where the dignity and rights of all are respected. Through these images, we seek to keep alive the flame of resistance and honor those who, with their courage, wrote an indelible page in the history of Ecuador and Latin America.
“Un Pueblo Valiente” is a visual story that captures the essence of the resistance and dignity of a people who stand up in the face of injustice. In their own voices, the communities tell us about their struggle, their dreams and their firm determination to defend what belongs to them: their land, their culture and their right to live with dignity. This video gives space to the words of those who have been protagonists of this resistance, building an intimate and powerful story. Through their testimonies, we discover the strength of a people who, united and organized, face adversity with hope and courage, reminding us that collective struggle is the path to justice and freedom.
“WARMI” are the guardians of memory, the ones who weave networks of solidarity in the most difficult moments. In protests, in assemblies, in homes, they are always present, demonstrating that caring is also a revolutionary act. Their struggle is not only for the present, but for a future where justice and dignity are possible for all.
“Somos Paja” We are like moor straw, resistant and flexible, capable of bending in the wind but never breaking. We are many, diverse and dispersed, but united by the same root, by the same struggle. And although today we may seem few, tomorrow we will be more, because the seed of resistance is already sown and grows in every heart that joins the cause.
We are straw, we are many and we will be more. Because the struggle does not stop, because hope multiplies and because the future is not built in solitude, but in community. Together, we are unstoppable.
“Solo Pueblo Salva al Pueblo” In the darkest moments, when injustices seem insurmountable, it is the people who rise up to extend a hand, to share bread, to defend what belongs to all. It is not the powerful, nor empty speeches, but the collective strength of those who, from below, build hope. The people, with their wisdom, their resistance and their solidarity, are the only ones who can heal, protect and liberate.
“Somos Paja” We are like moor straw, resistant and flexible, capable of bending in the wind but never breaking. We are many, diverse and dispersed, but united by the same root, by the same struggle. And although today we may seem few, tomorrow we will be more, because the seed of resistance is already sown and grows in every heart that joins the cause.
We are straw, we are many and we will be more. Because the struggle does not stop, because hope multiplies and because the future is not built in solitude, but in community. Together, we are unstoppable.