Laura the 29th of April, Loma de la dignidad
In addition to fighting against her government, Laura is also a staunch feminist. It must be said that the fate of Colombian women is closely linked to armed conflicts. Displaced, murdered, victims of domestic and sexual violence, among them, little girls and teenagers are the most affected*. That too is a battle to be waged in her country.
My name is Laura. I live in Cali, Colombia where I was born. I graduated from Universidad del Valle, the public university of Cali. I studied social communication and journalism. Today I work as a researcher on Rosa Bermúdez's prject, professor at the Universidad del Valle entitled: "Social leadership and strengthening of the economic autonomy of indigenous women in the municipality of Silvia, Cauca".
I am also part of the School of Feminist Studies of Cali, Esfemica in the content team. Esfemica is a foundation that strives to bring abolitionist and radical feminist support to all scenarios that women experience. We seek to end patriarchy and build a world where women are no longer "the second sex".
In addition to being a radical and abolitionist feminist, I am a leftist, mixed race with black and indigenous roots. I am fighting to build a country without racism, without sexism, without discrimination of any kind. A country without hunger, with justice and with opportunities.
Photo : Laura, near the hospital del Valle, 28th of april 2021
Colombia is a country that does not know peace. With the agreement between the government of former President Santos and the now defunct FARC-EP, many of us may have believed that a solution to the conflict was possible, but the government of Duque and Senator Uribe ended that hope by not respecting it. This situation, added to the poverty in which half of the population lives, inequality, lack of opportunities for young people, racism, misogyny, among so many other ills of our country, have created a fertile ground for the explosion of this national strike. Colombia has been experiencing war in its countryside and rural areas for over 60 years. What is new with the national strike is that now, in the cities too, there are people who are missing and shot dead by the state every day. There are the privileged, the "rich" of this country, and specifically in Cali, who, along with the police and their ex-police officers, attacked blocking places like the Portada al Mar by shooting from vans with tinted windows. Just as in the countryside, we are now seeing paramilitarism in the citiesduring daylight**.
Photo : Laura, Puerto Resistencia, Cali, 8th may 2021
I fear death, the death of my relatives and of all those who protest against the government of this country. It is not possible that every night in Cali, young people are shot dead by the police. I am also concerned that there is a military coup. In fact, I believe that is what is happening: Isn't the country ruled by military forces?
But above all, I am afraid that we will return to "normality" and continue to be condemned to live under this dictatorship.
My requests are the requests which will be accepted by the popular assembly which will be held in each of the concentration points.
I have confidence in our movement and in the creation of a list of demands that brings together solutions to our most urgent problems and needs.
Notre action principale : essayer de rester en vie pour continuer la lutte.
Among the most important demands: the application of the peace agreement, the dismantling of the ESMAD (Colombian police riot unit) and a basic income for the most disadvantaged families. We demand that tax, health and pension reforms are thought out fairly, taking into account the voices of the people and stop responding to the needs of capital. In Cali, there were marches, blockades and popular rallies. We received significant support from the Minga (group for the defense of indigenous people and black communities in northern Cauca), through the Regional Indigenous Council of Cauca, the CRIC. We have also undertaken symbolic actions, such as those carried out by the indigenous Misak people who overturned several statues in the country. In Cali, they shot down the one erected in honor of Sebastián Belalcázar, for them the “conquistador” is responsible for the servitude and extermination of indigenous peoples and African slaves.
What do I want for the future? I am the aunt of two very intelligent pretty girls who are my greatest pride. I dream of seeing them grow up in a more equitable country, with opportunities, where their lives and their integrity are not threatened. I want a country where justice is served for women and girls, where our bodies are not used as spoils of war. During the national strike, we women saw how the state not only kidnaps us, makes us disappear, beats us, but also dares to mistreat and rape us. I want a country that knows and does not repeat its tragic history. A country where peace agreements are respected, where justice and reparations are granted to victims and survivors, where the judiciary, executive and legislature function independently, which constitutes a minimum guarantee for democracy. Finally, I want a country where people see themselves more as a community and less in their individuality. I want for the next elections that we go to the polls by having made a reasonable and reasoned decision based on what we want for our society. If I have to send a message it is: S.O.S Colombia! It is clear that it is not possible to seek justice in Colombia, as there is no real separation of powers at the present time. This is why we are forced to ask for an international intervention, on behalf of human rights organizations. However, we would like to point out that we will not allow the irruption of a foreign nation which insults our sovereignty by wanting to go over the heads of the citizens. To the people, men and women, who read us and are interested in the cause of the Colombian people, we thank you. Continue to make visible the dictatorship that now rules Colombia, the attacks by the police and paramilitaries against citizens and indigenous Minga. Share. Ask your leaders to speak out on this. All of this is a great help so finally, in Colombia, the horrible night comes to an end.
* Between 1995 and 2011, more than 2.7 million women were forcibly displaced (16% declared themselves victims of sexual violence). According to a study by the National Institution of Legal Medicine in Colombia (INMLCF) in 2020 it is: 1,007 murdered women, 37,881 victims of violence in the couple, 16,088 victims of sexual violence, which represents 86% of the total number of victims of these crimes, young girls and teenagers are the most affected. ** As of 05/11/2020, during the “Paro Nacional”, 47 deaths had been reported, of which 39 were due to police violence and 34 to firearms; 111 cases of gunfire; 12 cases of sexual violence against women; 963 arbitrary detentions against protesters, not to mention the ever increasing number of missing persons - Indepaz and Temblores, 2021-.
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