A Face-Off Over Abortion in Teusaquillo

Cyclists besides the pro-choice demonstration in Teusaquillo.

During a bike tour the other day, we came upon this face-off over abortion beside the Santa Ana Church in Teusaquillo. Bizarrely and uncomfortably, the Catholic church is surrounded by women's health clinics which are notorious for offering abortions.

Abortion is prohibited in Colombia except in cases of rape, incest, when the woman's life is in danger or when the fetus has a severe abnormality.

In recent days, an organization called '40 Days for Life' has been holding an anti-abortion vigil beside the church. On this day, pro-choice activists held their own demonstration across the street.

Handing out flyers.

An active civil society is a sign of a healthy society. But the influence of religion in a supposedly secular nation makes me worry a bit.

A little guitar music always contributes to a protest.

The anti-abortion protest beside the Santa Ana Church.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

The Teachers' March

High school teachers, and some university professors, are on strike these days, demanding increased pay and benefits and an end to teacher evaluations.

Despite their vital work for society, teachers have relatively low pay and social status in many nations. And, for better or for worse, market forces play little role in fixing their salaries and work conditions.

These folks were marching this afternoon along Calle 26 near the Universidad Nacional.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

The Victims' March

April 9, the anniversary of the 1948 assassination of populist leader Jorge Eliecer Gaitán, has been designated the Day of the Victims. This year saw a big march - of victims rights groups, and also lots of other organizations.

A woman waves a flag on Plaza Bolivar.

A fñag calls for a blank vote.

Union workers presentes!

Flags in front of the Supreme Court.

Preparing for the march near the Central Cemetery.

'Mining kills.'

Anti-riot police walk up Ave. Septima, behind them a banner of Gaitan. 

The spot where Gaitan was assassinated in 1948 has been turned into a shrine.

Two women heading toward the march. They said they were victims of right-wing groups. 

Victims? Demanding legalization of the 'personal dosis' of marijuana.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

The March for Peace and Everything Else

Peace demonstrators on Plaza Bolivar.

I saw only a small part of today's huge 'March for Peace and Democracy,' organized by Bogotá's City Hall, but enough to realize that it was the usual mix of unions, political groups and even entertainers.

In any case, it's no surprise to find the leftist mayor supporting the controversial peace negotiations between the FARC and Colombian government taking place now in Havana, Cuba. The guerrilla leaders want to go to Congress after any peace agreement is signed. But conservative critics, led by ex-Pres. Alvaro Uribe oppose the talks and say the guerrillas should instead go to prison for their many human rights violations.

Yesterda afternoon, Pres. Santos announced his intention to run for reelection next year, and the peace negotiations are sure to be a central issue of the campaign.

Mayor Petro and other M-19 Guerrilla leaders, of course, created the model which the FARC hope to follow. The guerrilla group demobilized in 1989 and turned into a political party, playing a prominent role in writing Colombia's new Constitution in 1991. Today, Petro is mayor of Bogotá and other ex-M-19 leaders are in Congress.

Giving the peace sign. 

Several marching bands set the beat.

Ex-Telecom employees joined the march. 

A stern policewoman protects - or protects us from - a marching band.

Displaying City Hall's slogan, Humane Bogotá.

'Deceit is also violence.' But who's deceit?

'We women are a generation of peace.' 'No more violence against women.'

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Getting Naked for Education

Topless students march down Ave. Septima, near the Parque Nacional.

Nudity and education don't usually mix - at least when book education is concerned. But today public university students drew attention to their calls for more financing by marching half-naked down Ave. Septima.

The marchers in what they called the 'desnudaton' are demanding that the government provide more money to public universities, eliminate interest rates on student loans and forgive student loan debts for those who have already paid back their loans' capital, but not the interest.

In the chill and drizzle, a banner becomes a shelter.

These women's chants denounced capitalism, neoliberalism and the government. 

Police protected a Chevy dealership.

After the march, students 'peacefully occupied' the ICETEX building off of the Plaza del Periodista. ICETEX administers student loans, and the demonstrators are demanding that the government eliminate interest on loans and forgive interest payments owed by students who have paid off their loans' capital.

'A peaceful takeover for the 11.3 billion' in debts which students want forgiven.

'Takeover for the 11 billion pesos!'

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours