Friday, October 11, 2013

Remembering a Child Martyr



While many Colombians were fixated on whether Colombia would qualify for the world cup, this group of human rights activists held a memorial on Ave. Septima for Nicolas David Neira, a high school student killed at age 15 near this spot afte being beaten by police during a May Day protest in 2005. The police allegedly involved claimed that Neira had been hit by protesters acting violently. However, in 2011 a court found the city of Bogotá responsible Neira's killing.

Today's demonstrators yelled out: "What's the use of football without historical memory?" The conection isn't completely clear to me. And most passers by seemed more intent on catching the football match.

Colombia's national team made a dramatic comeback and tied in today's game against Chile.
A poster portrays the police as violent repressors. 

'Neither pardon nor forgiveness.'

Another student martyr.
A man wearing a Colombian football jersey stands beside posters and a plaque commemorating Neira's killing. 



By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

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