28 Sep 2021 | 09:51 AM UTC
Colombia: Unionized workers' plan to protest in multiple cities Sept. 28 /update 1
Unionized workers plan protest march in multiple cities throughout Colombia, Sept. 28, to demand investments in education.
Event
Unionized activists affiliated with several organizations, including the Colombian Federation of Education Workers (Federacion Colombiana de Trabajadores de la Educacion, FECODE) and the Workers' Unitary Central (Central Unitaria de Trabajadores, CUT), plan to hold marches in multiple locations throughout Colombia, Sept. 28. Demonstrators allege that the national government has not followed through with agreements reached in previous negotiations and is demanding that Congress pass multiple legislative projects.
The main demonstration is likely to occur in Bogota, where activists plan to gather at Parque Nacional starting at 09:00 and then march to Plaza de Bolivar, where they plan to rally until 14:00. Other confirmed protest sites are:
Barranquilla: March from Plaza Esthercita Forero to Air-e Energia Offices, 09:00
Cali: March from Plazoleta de San Francisco to Hospital Universitario, 09:00
Cucuta: March from Parque Simon Bolivar to Parque Santander, 08:00
Medellin: Parque de los Deseos, 10:00
Thousands of people are likely to participate in the demonstrations. The actions will probably cause transport and business disruptions along the march route. Heightened security is likely, especially around government offices. While similar protests in the past have ended in clashes with security personnel and acts of vandalism, widespread violence is unlikely to occur; isolated looting and clashes are possible.
Advice
Avoid all protests as a precaution. Confirm appointments and allow additional time to reach your destination, if operating in the impacted cities, Sept. 28.
