Indigenous Colombians demand end to violence
Thousands of indigenous people took to the streets of Bogota Monday (October 19), demanding an end to violence against social leaders and mass killings in Colombia.
Many of the estimated 5,000 protesters set out on foot and in buses from the country's southeast and arrived in the city to protest the government's economic and social policies.
This demonstrator says he's willing to hold talks with the government but they won't come, therefore they'll continue to protest and resist.
Although President Ivan Duque dispatched a delegation of ministers and other high-level officials to hold talks with indigenous groups, the leaders declined to meet them, insisting they would only hold "government to government" talks with the president.
"Nothing justifies placing our health and life at risk at the moment. If we have discussions, let's have them within the framework of democracy, without issuing a summons or ultimatums, or invoking judgements that have no basis in reality. The dialogue should be sectorial and timely with regard to the issues of the regions, as we have already had."
Indigenous groups will join a national strike on Wednesday (October 21)- organized by unions and student organisations.
