Will It Help?

Peace accord supporters march down Carrera Septima.

Lots of activities these days pushing for the peace agreement recently signed by the government and FARC guerrillas, but narrowly rejected by voters. 

Many of these demonstrators took a SI victory for granted, I suspect, and neglected to vote. If they'd only shown this same enthusiasm on Oct. 2, most likely the accord would have been approved. 

I'm not sure how much this enthusiasm in the streets will push forward the talks going on now between Pres. Santos and ex-presidents Uribe and Pastrana, who opposed the agreement. But, if they do reach an agreement, then perhaps this energy will contribute to its realization.

On Plaza Bolivar, activists have been camping out for the last week in support of the accord.

'Not one step back.'

Listing names of victims of rights violations.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

The March of Lost, Leftist Causes

Riot police observe the march on Ave. Jimenez.

Undoubtedly, striking teachers and other workers deserve more pay, benefits and worker protections. But communism, anarchism and other radical 'isms' celebrated by marchers in today's May Day march aren't likely to help them, even if they were possible.

When Colombia's radical young activists get their feet on the ground and abandon fantastical for concrete causes, the can really improve workers' lots.

Anti-fascist skinheads march near Calle 22.

'They will not pass.' A popular communist slogan on Plaza Bolivar.

'I support my professor.' Teachers have been on strike for a week.

Simon Bolivar, on Plaza Bolivar, is recruited by feminist campaigners.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Camp Petro is Gone

Now you see them, now you don't. Where protesters once camped, today people play with pigeons on Plaza Bolivar, 

For 56 days, until early morning on Sunday, supporters of Mayor Gustovo Petro - or, at least, opponents of his ouster - had camped on Plaza Bolivar in the mayor's support.

But about 3 a.m. Sunday police moved in and cleared out the approximately 30 tents and trucked off tons of 'trash' - much of it likely valued by its owners - was trucked away. The police were obeying an order from Procurador Alejandro Ordoñez - the same official who ordered Petro removed from office for allegedly mishandling the city's trash collection service.

Ordoñez said that the demonstrators had not obtained the necessary permits and could damage the plaza.

Petro, meanwhile, is waiting to see how his court battle works out, and whether he can prevent Pres. Santos from appointing a new mayor on Feb. 8. If Petro evades the ouster order, he'll face a recal vote in early March.

I asked this young man whether he was a Petrista. "Petro is a political prostitute." the told me, explaining that he was there only to oppose Petro's ouster by the procurador, which was 'anti-democratic.'

But while the tents were gone, many of the demonstrators were still on the plaza, in deep conversation, today. 

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Pit Bulls and their People

A young couple and their happy pit bull. 

 Pit bull owners invaded La Ciclovia today to 'make others aware that these dogs aren't vicious'. Some pit bulls are definitely vicious, but those apparently stayed at home. These animals seemed happy and playful. But even so, don't get too close.

Walking pit bulls on La Ciclovia. 

Pit bulls on La Ciclovia. 

A pair of pit bull pups playing in the Parque Nacional. 

Don't discriminate against pit bulls!

Pit bulls and friends. 

Pit bulls and bicyclists. 

Sit down and smile!

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

These Men Take a Stand in Skirts

Men in skirts in front of the old Communications Ministry building along Ave. Septima. 

This evening, standing on the front of the old Ministry of Communications and overlooking the partying crowd on Ave. Septima, this group was chanting condemnations of machismo. A valuable message, certainly, in a nation in which good ol' boy violence causes some deaths and many injuries, even if few of the partyers were listening.

But if skirts really make the man, what are we to make of the Scotsmen?

Arm raised against machismo.

Ave. Septima was packed with partyers.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Soldiers for Peace

A soldier lights a candle for peace. 

This evening, a group of  residents of Chapinero organized this candle lighting ceremony on the Plaza de Lourdes, in Chapinero. One told me that the candles, which spelled out 'PAZ', were a protest against violence during recent marches and demonstrations in support of farmers protesting low prices for their products. Some of the protests in Bogotá turned violent, in great part because of hooded rioters called encapuchados.

Such a perspective on recent events is perhaps not surprising for residents of middle class Chapinero. Others would probably find the violence in deeper, root causes, such as economic exploitation of farmers.

I was struck by the participation of soldiers in the ceremony. But I probably should not have been. After all, they suffer most from Colombia's violent armed conflict. On the other hand, tho, peace would deprive them of work.

The candles on Plaza Lourdes spelled PAZ - PEACE.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

Another March for Peace

The marchers pack Ave. 26.

Thousands of participants of the Assembly for Peace held on the National University's campus carried out a huge march today from the campus to Plaza Bolivar. While everybody wants peace, this group's flags and signs supporting guerrillas in Colombia and abroad suggest that they want peace only on the guerrillas' terms.

Notice the FSLN guerrilla flag. 

Anarchism, the new social model.

On the Plaza del Ché on the National University's campus.

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours