Colombia's heartwarming support for embattled social leaders

[Judi Lynn]

by Adriaan Alsema July 7, 2018

Thousands of Colombians took to the street on Friday in support of their social leaders, hundreds of whom have been assassinated during the country’s peace process.

The protests and vigils were largely ignored by the country’s political leaders, who have come under international pressure for their failure to respond to the wholesale killing that has cost 311 community leaders’ lives since 2016, according to the Ombudsman’s Office.

In the capital Bogota, protesters converted the central Bolivar Square into a sea of candlelight. The same happened at the Parque de los Deseos in Medellin and at the Plaza de Caycedo in Cali.

Also abroad protest meetings were held to demand protection for Colombia’s social leaders and human rights defenders. Vigils were held in at least 25 cities, from Sydney, Australia to New York City, United States.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombias-heartwarming-support-for-embattled-social-leaders/