Update on protests in Colombia

“…if these were silent, the stones would shout out (Luke 19: 39-40 NRSV)”. This was the scripture used by the Colombian Methodist Church in their public statement on the ongoing protests in Colombia.  The Colombian Methodist Church has long supported some of Colombia’s most vulnerable communities and minority groups, raising its voice to denounce injustice. It has always accompanied those who suffer discrimination, racism, poverty, financial injustice, judicial injustice, insecurity and violence. The unpopular, proposed tax and health reforms that the Colombian government proposed in April was the spark that lit the fuse of social discontentment and suffering that has been simmering for many decades. The initial protests in May caused the government to rescind the reforms that would have plunged many millions of middle class and working class people, already suffering the economic consequences of COVID lockdowns, further into poverty.

Given the depth of the issues however, the protests continued and spread across the country and even overseas where there are established Colombian communities. Trade Unions, student organisations and other groups have continued to organise weekly mass protests in Colombia, calling for police reforms, a guaranteed minimum wage, equal access to healthcare and education, the upholding of the Peace Treaty signed in 2016, an end to corruption, affirming indigenous rights and more.

The Colombian government has not yet sat down to dialogue with the representatives of protesting groups. Rather, there have been violent clashes between police and protestors, with a number of protestors killed, some disappeared and others injured. The epicentre of these clashes has been the city of Cali, usually known as the salsa dance capital of the world. Now it has become the centre of protest, where a number of people have died and several young people have disappeared during the clashes. A local Methodist minister has been accompanying affected families and working alongside protestors, paramedics and the police, ensuring that those injured received medical attention. He has also been working with several ecumenical organisations working for justice and peace and offering legal support to families who are defending the right to protest of their young people.

The Methodist minister in question, has received threats to his safety because of this work with local communities. The Interdenominational Commission for Justice and Peace, of which the Colombian Methodist Church is a member, has denounced these threats on their webpage. It has called on the Colombian government to meet its obligations to ensure the necessary measures that will uphold the rights of those who are legitimately taking part in protest movements or supporting them, such as this local Methodist minister and the communities he serves.

Let us pray for Colombia:

God of justice and mercy,

We pray for protection over all those who are protesting or supporting protestors in communities across Colombia.

We pray that their rights to protest without fear of violent reprisals will be upheld.

We pray that the government will soon sit down at a table of dialogue with social leaders to construct a more just and equitable society, where marginalised and minority groups are given the opportunity to thrive and not merely survive.

We pray for organisations and churches such as the Colombian Methodist Church who are working to build peace and reconciliation in the communities they serve. May you give them the courage and strength to continue sharing the love of Christ.

We pray that your gospel values of love, peace and reconciliation will prevail over hate, vengeance and violence.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen