Nationwide anti-government protests in Colombia happened today. Students, teachers, union leaders, representatives of indigenous groups, and many other supporters united together to show their discontent with President Duque’s government.
There are many reasons for the demonstrations from environmental to economic, but some major ones include disapproval of the government’s response to an airstrike that killed eight children and to a spate of recent killings of indigenous and civic leaders; labor and pension reforms that call for lower wages for young people and an increase in the retirement age; and slow progress in the peace-making deals with leftist rebels (FARC).
Many businesses in my neighborhood of Laureles were closed today. On my way to school I could even cross Avenida San Juan, the busiest street in the area, without the threat of being run over. The streets were so quiet it felt like a holiday weekend.
As a foreigner, I was warned to stay away from the crowds because protests in Colombia have been known to become violent. Since yesterday police have been guarding the streets and the metro stations in preparation, and I’m happy to report that in Medellín, the demonstrations succeeded in remaining peaceful.
Every Colombian I have spoken to is very proud of the protest. They’re proud of the scale, the unity, and their courage to stand up to the government.
The other night I met a Colombian woman at a language exchange meet-up. As a topic of conversation, I asked about her favorite part of her culture. Without hesitation, she told me that what she loves most about her culture is that her people always want better. They don’t want to remain stagnant; they see a brighter future and they’re going to fight for it.
In the States where most people get their information about Colombia from the TV show, Narcos (which has brought many problems to this country through “Narcotourism” and the glorification of Pablo Escobar), there is a great misconception of what this country is like today. It’s true, for decades violent conflicts ruptured the country. But now, Colombia is going through a process of peace-making (albeit slow), and at least here in Medellín, I can feel the optimism of the people.
In today’s Colombia, there is an emphasis on hope and transformation. But it’s difficult to see that unless you interact with the Colombian people, walk past the graffitied walls that tell stories of pain and hope, ride the beloved metro with people who take pride in it and hear stories from people who actually lived through the violence we now see on Narcos.
Colombians don’t deny or hide their history. Not at all. In fact, they embrace their country’s violent past. Rather than sweeping it under a rug like it never happened, they flip it on its head. The Parque De Las Luces in Medellin, for example, was once a dangerous hangout for criminals. Now, there is a public market and an installation of columns that light up in the evenings. This once inaccessible part of the city has thus been transformed into a beautiful, welcoming space all can enjoy.
Casa Museo de la Memoría is a testament to the Colombian people’s effort to “…transform our past and our realities into new history, freeing ourselves from the resignation and immobility of historical events, to make possible a reality different from war, death and violence.” It’s a physical site that embodies the pain, the stories, and hope for the future that each Colombiano lives with.
Colombians actively take part in the transformation of their country in a way I’ve never seen in the States or in China. It’s difficult to explain what I mean, but it’s not just voting for a president or forgetting the past and staying comfortable within the status quo. It’s even more than just protesting. It’s making meaning of your histories, however tragic, seeing a brighter future, and taking matters into your own hands.
I feel lucky to be in Colombia during this time. I feel the excitement and the hope of the people around me. There’s energy in the air that indicates change is coming, as it is all over Latin America.
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