Despite the ratification of peace accords in Colombia, human rights defenders are being killed in Colombia in a rate unprecedented in the last ten years. On August 7th organizations across the globe are holding are a variety of events in solidarity with Colombia to highlight the current situation and call for peace. Join us on August 7th from 6 to 8 pm at Umstead Park United Church of Christ in Raleigh, NC to learn more about the history of US policy in Colombia and how it continues to influence the current crisis. After watching a short documentary film we will have an informal conversation examining the connections between US policy in Colombia and the States including the current immigration crisis.

The US government has a history of exporting its militarized and racialized policies to Colombia. It has sent over 9 billion dollars of mostly military aid to Colombia since 2001. These policies- the very same exported to Central America and that create the conditions that lead many to migrate- most frequently target Indigenous and Afro-Colombian populations, causing both displacement and ripping apart the social fabric. Though the US government continues to send US aid to Colombia, now rebranded under the guise “peace Colombia”, much of the aid still goes to the Colombian military and larger organizations instead of local communities who have borne the brunt the conflict and the violence of indiscriminate counterinsurgency policies. The same model the US exports to Latin America can be seen in the waves of gentrification throughout the US, the devaluation of the lives of people of color, and the inhumane treatment of immigrants from Latin America. Join us for a discussion in which we delve into looking at these similarities and examine how we can act against them.

Schedule:

6:00pm – Check in and get food!

6:30pm – Short film highlighting the connections between the current situation in Colombia and in the US

7:00pm – Discussion and action!

We hope to see you there!

Umstead Park Church address: 8208 Brownleigh Dr, Raleigh, North Carolina 27617