Photo: Rafael, July 20, 2021, Bogotá.
During the demonstrations, it is easy to spot the young people of Primea Linea: helmets, goggles and gas masks. Those who are more discreet are the fathers and mothers who encourage and support the struggle and the desire for change of their children.
My name is Rafael, I am 46 years old, I live in the Santa Fe neighborhood in Bogotá.
Nowadays, young people are tired of corruption and have decided to leave our neighborhood. But this exodus dates from long before the pandemic.
For the last thirty years, the Colombian government has only thought about the big businessmen of the country and not about the disadvantaged people and the workers of the country. the working class. The politicians have taken away our rights: overtime, Sunday supplements, vacations. They have also increased the retirement age. Everything has benefited the big companies of capitalism.
So, to make their voices heard, young people are again protesting for free education, dignified work, the possibility of a good health system. Let them do what Jaime Garzón* said: "the youth must strengthen the country and bring down all the corrupt people in power."
Photo: Young manifestants of the Primea Linea, July 20, 2021, Bogotá.
Again, the revolt is not three months old.
The first line is represented by young people who are fed up with the violence of the authorities. They militate themselves for their cause by demonstrating in the street. They see an opportunity to make things happen. There is a large majority of young people but not only. We, the parents, are also with them and we will not leave them alone.
As for the police and armed forces, unfortunately, they are employees who act on behalf of those in power. I know that many people do not agree with this government pressure tactic. But I repeat, they work. Hitting and hurting people should not be a deterrent. But on both sides there are rotten apples thrown and misdirected.
Again, the revolt is not three months old. Before the pandemic we were already in the streets. In the last few months, the world has understood that young people are willing to fight for their rights and that the violence of the state will not stop them. The revolution has brought down reforms and ministers and that is positive. But the real victory would be to end the corruption.
Photo: Policemen, July 20, 2021, Bogotá.
Personally, I want a fairer country. I do not ask that the rich be plundered so that their money can be redistributed to the poor, but rather that the poor be given the opportunity to advance. And this will be done through education, work, but especially by banishing corruption. This would open up many opportunities for young people.
If you want to bring down the people in government, you have to start by voting. Elect politicians who are in favor of the underprivileged. We need to change this vision of corrupt power. We need to change our mentality in order to evolve, we need to vote with conscience and not allow the politicians already in place to buy our rights to elect freely.
*Jaime Garzón is a Colombian lawyer, journalist and political humorist. Murdered in 1999, he played an important role in the Colombian peace process and in the liberation of hostages held by the FARC.
"If you young people don't take charge of your own country, no one will come to save you. No one!"
Jaime Garzón (1960-1999)