Judicial workers striking for wage increases and security. Disabled
servicemen wheeling 400 kilometers for kidnapped colleagues. War
refugees taking to the streets demanding benefits. These and other acts
of social activism have taken hold of Colombia in recent days and weeks.
Largest of all is the nationwide judicial strike, now in its sixth
day and due to expand to 40,000 workers — the full judicial force — by
Wednesday, El Espectador reported. No quick solution is in sight, according to Caracol Radio.
Twenty disabled policemen and soldiers are attempting to travel 400
kilometers by wheelchair to demand the liberty of some 700 remaining
hostages that have fallen out of the public eye since the July rescue
of 15 hostages, including Ingrid Betancourt and three American
contractors, El Pais wrote.
A few weeks ago in the north of Bogotá some 300 displaced persons
occupied the Parque de la 93, normally an oasis of calm and costly
beverages, calling for government attention and benefits, the New York Times reported.
In a few days the city should also be reached by a 250-person march
against hunger and unemployment, which since leaving Popayan has grown
by two-thirds, a separate Radio Caracol article reported.
Also in the capital, former gang members, street kids and single
monthers mobilized Monday against the replacement of Father Javier de
Nicoló as head of the Institute for the Protection of Children and
Youth, which he had run for 35 years, Col Prensa reported.