Colombia: Protests planned in urban centers nationwide for September 21 /update 5

Event

The National Strike Committee has called for further nationwide protests on Monday, September 21, to denounce perceived police violence. The National Strike Committee is an umbrella association of multiple unions and student organizations and is calling on protesters to gather in parks and outside their residences in urban centers nationwide from 09:00 (local time). In Bogota, demonstrators will gather in the Portal Norte and Sevillana areas before marching to the Ministry of Labor.

Associated business and transportation disruptions, as well as heightened security measures, are to be anticipated in the vicinity of any protests.

Context

The protests follow the death of law student Javier Ordonez. Ordonez died after being tasered and forcibly subdued by police officers whilst being arrested for alleged breaches of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Bogotá on September 8. Although the Bogotá Metropolitan Police Department has expressed regrets over the death and suspended two of the officers involved pending an investigation, video footage showing officers subduing Ordonez has been widely shared on social media in the country and drawn significant condemnation.

Advice

Those in Colombia are advised to closely monitor developments, avoid all protests and large public gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.