By Margaret Janelle R. Hutchinson
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
BOGOTÁ, Colombia – The ‘week of indignation’ is a movement, organized through social media, of various socially conscious groups to raise government awareness of how the armed conflicts have affected them and demand an active role in the upcoming peace talks.
Social organizations of Colombians have publicly supported the peace talks between the government and the Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC) that are set to begin in Olso, Norway next week. However, some of these groups are not content to sit idly by and allow the government to handle the negotiations; they are demanding their voices be heard.
According to groups such as Marcha Patriotica (Patriotic March), Congreso de los Pueblos, and Coalition of Social Movements and Organizations of Colombia (COMOSOC) the political and economic nature of the dialogues affects them directly and therefore they want a place at the table.
Among the many blogs who have promoted the demonstrations, the students of the University of Antioquia present the reasons to participate in this march and other activities as part of the week of indignation. They point out, among other reasons:
“The gradual deterioration of quality of life and the systematic loss of rights, guarantees and democratic freedoms are fundamental reasons to show our rejection and indignation against neoliberal policies and globalization implemented by imperialism, the Colombian ruling classes and the regime of [President] Juan Manuel Santos.
Outrage for the killing, displacement, threat and intimidation of union, social, indigenous and popular leaders. Also the criminalization of people who think differently and don’t agree with imposed policies.”
The marches and protests started on Monday October 4, 2012, and have affected 25 of Colombia’s 32 departments.
Today marches organized by left-wing movement the Patriotic March and other social sectors will take place simultaneously around the country. In Bogotá 116 popular organizations will congregate in different parts of the city and intend to converge in the capital city’s central Plaza Bolivar.
“The government has not heard the cry of social organizations … the government has refused these social and popular organizations a presence at the round table … where will civil society be represented?” said Carlos Lozano, spokesperson for the left-wing Patriotic March movement.
Across the internet there are postings by various groups promoting the week of indignation. Links to several of these postings are provided below.
For further information, please see:
Colombia Reports – Colombia marches for ‘week of indignation’ – 12 October 2012
Global Voices – Colombia to Close ‘Week of Indignation’ With Nationwide Protests – 11 October 2012
Facebook – PROGRAMACION DE LA MOVILIZACION EN CALI ESTE VIERNES 12 DE OCTUBRE; SEMANA DE LA INDIGNACION – Last Updated10 October 2012
Facebook – Operation Colombia – ¿A ti que te indigna? – Last Updated 08 October 2012
YouTube – Semana de la indignacion Cali – 03 October 2012
Estudiantes U. de A. – Cronograma Semana de la Indignación 4-12 Octubre 2012 – 1 October 2012
