A Public Forum: What is Happening in Colombia?
Tue, May 11, 2021
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT
online event
This conversation with professors and colombianistas with expertise in social movements, culture and politics in Colombia aims to explore the causes and consequences of the current crisis in Colombia, as well as possible paths out of this situation, which has been described by many as one of the most critical moments in the contemporary history of the country.
Since the start of the most recent wave of social protest in Colombia on April 28, more than 39 deaths and hundreds of cases of physical violence have been registered, as well as the arbitrary detention of protesters by the police. The formal trigger for the protests was widespread rejection of a tax reform bill proposed by the government of Iván Duque; but social unrest continued after the project was withdrawn and the responsible Minister resigned, underscoring multiple and deep-seated social, political, economic and cultural grievances within Colombian society.
During this time, while most participants protest in peace and with civility, the escalation of violence has resulted in the blocking of roads, the destruction of public and private facilities, and the shortage of goods in the most affected cities. While Duque’s party, lead by the ex-president Alvaro Uribe, is insisting that a state of internal commotion be declared to restore order, many other national and international actors have called on the government to cease police brutality, guarantee human rights, de-escalate the crisis and initiate talks with the diverse sectors taking part of the protests.
Panelists will examine the varied factors that explain the protests, the disproportionate use of force against its participants and possible paths to dissipate violence and promote constructive dialogue in the present circumstances.
Panelists:
Professor Mauricio Archila, Social Movements, History Department, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Professor Juana Suárez, Cinema Studies, Colombian/Latin American Media and Archives, Cinema Studies- MIAP, Tisch School of the Arts , New York University
Professor Arlene B. Tickner, Colombian and International Politics, School of International, Political and Urban Studies, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia
Moderator: Professor Jens Andermann, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, New York University
To learn more about the event, click here.