Colombian youth set up tent city to demand peace deal
Source: Associated Press
Colombian youth set up tent city to demand peace deal
AP Photo/Ivan Valencia
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- Dozens of activists have raised a multicolored, makeshift tent city in Bogota's main square to demand the government and rebels save a deal meant to end a half century of conflict - part of a belated outburst of activism across the country by Colombians stunned at last week's unexpected defeat of the peace accord in a referendum.
The mostly youthful demonstrators at what's called the "Peace Camp" reject any political affiliation. Organizers say their only goal is to make sure the peace deal signed last month by the government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia isn't scuttled.
The first two tents were raised the night of Oct. 5 after as many as 25,000 people poured into the streets of downtown Bogota to back the rejected accord. Within less than a week, the impromptu encampment has grown to 70 tents surrounded by bunting in the color of the Colombian flag and adorned with white balloons and flowers symbolizing peace.
Hundreds of other Colombians joined the group in Bogota's Plaza Bolivar on Wednesday to sew a giant quilt with the names of 1,900 victims of the conflict. Each of the names - Manuel Getial, Rogelio Ramos, Mariluz Uribe - was written in giant block letters stenciled in ash on individual pieces of white cloth the length of a coffin.
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