Solidarity with Colombia’s Indigenous Minga and National Strike!!

Please send the following email to Colombian authorities in support of the indigenous Minga and the National Strike for peace, land reform, and democracy! Thousands of marchers have gathered in the capital city of Bogotá to demand an end to political violence. Recent demonstrations have been subjected to brutal repression by agents of the State. Those of us who are US citizens bear special responsibility since our government provides the weapons of repression used by the Colombian Armed Forces against popular movements.

Click here for more information

Following is an English translation of the email that will be sent to Colombian authorities:

 

I am writing to express my solidarity with the Indigenous and Social Minga and the National Strike in Colombia that is presently underway in Bogotá and throughout the country.

The just demands of the National Strike and the Minga include an end to violence and political repression that is currently victimizing the Colombian people. I am especially worried for the safety of the marchers and demonstrators participating in the Minga and the National Strike. In these moments of mobilization, the world remembers the brutal repression on the part of the State, and especially by the ESMAD riot police, against the Minga and the National Strike in 2019. We also are moved by the massacre of demonstrators against police brutality in Bogotá this past September 9^th, also by ESMAD.

Likewise, we remember last year when President Duque tried to meet with the Minga and decided to cancel the meeting only 200 yards from the site of the encounter, citing reasons of safety. But for indigenous communities and social movements of Colombia, there is no safety.

For all the previous reasons, I demonstrate my support for goals of the Minga and the National Strike, and demand:

1. That the human right to protest be respected without threat of assault or death at the hands of the public forces;

2. That President Duque meet with the spokespersons for the Minga and the National Strike and that the Colombian government fulfill its obligations as stipulated in the peace accords.

The whole world is watching!