Colombians marching Tuesday for the release of hostages held by groups like the FARC were passionate about ending violence and promoting peace, in spite of low turnouts.
No more than 10,000 took to the streets in Colombia, despite high hopes by organizers and widespread promotion by the country’s main media outlets and endorsement by the country’s President Juan Manuel Santos.
But even though the turnout was less than generally anticipated, those who did march showed strong conviction for their cause.
“I am marching for the murder of my mother because I lost my mom in the jungles of Colombia. I want an end to the murderous FARC guerrillas. Out with hatred! Out! Out!” a tearful young man told Colombia Reports during the Medellin march where hundreds took to the streets.
A middle-aged man holding a sheet of grievances in one hand and a loud-speaker in the other said, “Today we are marching and protesting against the vile assassins who have made victims of our companions in the armed forces in the service of Colombia.”
Concerning the impact or significance the demonstrations would have for hostages and their families, one young woman told Colombia Reports, “We want them to know that they are accompanied; that we haven’t abandoned them, and with all our hearts we are with them and their families.”
Thousands gathered in the nation’s capital, Bogota, while in Cali,Colombia’s third largest city, approximately 1,000 marched.
The protests were organized in response to the assassination of four hostages by FARC guerrillas during an encounter with the armed forces.