Anarchist group takes to the streets in Colombia protesting deaths and arrests from the 2021 National Strike
After speeches, the demonstration moved to a Police Immediate Attention Center. Some demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails, which caused riot squads to end the protest at Bolívar Square. Within minutes, red smoke and tear gas covered the crowd as they approached the exact location where Dilan Cruz died a few years prior.
- 2 years ago
May 11, 2023
BOGOTÁ, Colombia — On April 28, demonstrations occurred in Bogotá in commemoration of the national strike that took place in 2021. The protesters marched on 19th and 4th streets, where police captain Manuel Cubillos murdered a young student, Dilan Cruz, in 2019.
Read more stories from Bogotá, Colombia at Orato World Media
A long-awaited call for justice
The anarchist group known as Black Bloc led the march, with red smoke and flares in the background. They stood at the front of the march to act as a barrier between other protesters and the police. They carried a large sign that read, “Only the nectar of revenge returns those who have disappeared,” calling for direct action. Protesters released a list of demands, such as the release of political prisoners, rights and guarantees for their right to protest safely, and justice for the victims of the National Strike.
After speeches, the demonstration moved to a Police Immediate Attention Center. Some demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails, which caused riot squads to end the protest at Bolívar Square. Within minutes, red smoke and tear gas covered the crowd as they approached the exact location where Dilan Cruz died a few years prior. The Black Bloc demanded revenge and justice. Two years after the social outcry, the crimes committed by security forces appear to remain ignored by those in charge.
In 2021, in the midst of a pandemic, after an attempt by Iván Duque’s government to impose a tax increase affecting basic necessities, a social outbreak took place. It left a markon Colombia’s history and promoted the candidacy of Gustavo Petro. Police arrested over 200 students during the protests. Reports indicate many remain imprisoned. The 2021 protests included numerous cases of police brutality. Seventy-five deaths occurred during the social uprising. Forty-four of them reportedly resulted from police brutality, according to a report by the NGO Indepaz/Temblores. At least 83 people became victims of ocular violence and 28 endured sexual violence. They still demand justice.
