Labor Day Protest at Colombian Embassy

I wish I could upload my camera phone pictures from the Protest this morning at the Colombian Embassy in D.C., but I lack a cord needed to connect my phone to my laptop.

Although there were only 2 weeks to organize this event, I feel that my small efforts have resulted in raising the issue among a wide swath of people. Especially today, in just traveling with my small handmade sign to the embassy, so many people asked what it was about, this "Non Mas Matar en Colombia". From people in the Metro Station, to just walking down the street, to looking for the Embassy, to pacing back and forth in front of the embassy -- so many people stopped to ask questions. Most had never heard about the extrajudicial killings of union organizers in this U.S. ally's country, and all were shocked to learn that Colombia holds the world record in labor murders - 50 in 2010.

No one was at the embassy this Labor Day, and when it started to rain, I left my sign leaning against the embassy's front door, which was up a short flight of stairs, and thus was highly visible to all who pass. At least someone there will see it, and hopefully it will impress upon them that there are citizens here who stand with citizens there and who will not ignore these enormous human rights violations.

Perhaps there are some in our congregation who would like to join a candlelight vigil at the Colombian Embassy in October, or would help leafletting the embassy neighborhood, or helping to stage a protest at the Trade Representative's office, where we could add FTAs with South Korea and Panama to our concerns.