IAC Report #3 from Colombia: 50,000 students march through downtown Bogotá
December 10, 2002--The International Action Center delegation in Colombia reported that 50,000 students and trade unionists marched through downtown Bogotá December 10 to protest the attempts by the government of President Álvaro Uribe Velez to privatize the universities and industries.
The demonstrators, who formed a cortege many blocks long, marched for five miles from the National University to Simon Bolivar Plaza.
Many unions were there with their organization’s banners, protesting Uribe’s reforms. The unions explain that these “reforms” amount to an attack on workers’ rights and will set back gains in workplace rules made through earlier struggles.
For the students, a major focus of the students was their opposition to Uribe’s proposals to reorganize and privatize the educational system. Student banners also attacked Plan Colombia, the U.S. plan to provide military aid and “advisers” to help the Colombian government repress the insurgent movements in the Colombian countryside.
Demonstrators chanted "Down with Uribe!” and "the people united will never be defeated." Other chants targeted the police, who have attacked both the university and the homes of student activists, and have been involved in the killing of student leaders.
The cops were all around the march wearing in riot gear, and armed with a water cannon, which they didn’t use during the protest. At one point in the march the police did launch tear gas at the demonstrators.
It was pouring rain at the end of the march, when a short rally took place. Among the speakers was Fred Hirsch from the IAC delegation, who expressed his solidarity with the marchers.
The IAC delegation carried a banner reading: “The people of the U.S. demand justice for the people of Colombia. No more abuse from Coca-Cola. No to Plan Colombia.”
Photo credit: Steven Gillis
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