Newsletters

Date: March 13th 2008

Wearing white blouses or shirts and carrying photos of family members assassinated or "disappeared," 15,000 citizens of Baranquilla took to the streets on March 6 to protest the violence in Colombia and to honor the victims. I was among the Presbyterians walking behind a banner with portions of Micah 4:3 written on it and a drawing of a gun being changed into a fork for cultivating the land. The chanting, singing, sense of unity, and enthusiasm reminded me of marches in which I have participated in D.C. Such events have always encouraged me to continue being faithful to the call of discipleship with the knowledge that I am not alone.

Chants included "no to death, yes to life," "Christians of Barranquilla-Present, present, present," and "Humanitarian agreement, now!" One of the songs we sang was the one Sarah taught us at orientation about dreaming of a world of justice and love without violence and rancor, where in Jesus we are brothers/sisters who struggle with valor, live with hope, and sorrow exists no more when the kingdom is realized.

At the end of the march we gathered in the park for speeches. One of the staff spoke saying that the church has decided to raise its voice in favor of the victims of the conflict and that part of the mission of the church is to be with the victims. She went on to quote Gandhi who said that no violence is stronger than humanity with a desire to build peace. Her final comments stated that as Christians we believe in a God that wants peace and justice for Colombia, a God who walks with God's people in this event and always.

When we returned to the office staff members excitedly called us in to watch the coverage on TV. When the D.C. march was shown we all saw a familiar face and were grateful to be joining him across the miles in this expression of solidarity for Colombia. According to the newspaper, marches occurred in 82 cities around the world with 20 of those being in Colombia. An article in the paper preceding the march stated 10 reasons for it: for the displaced, "disappeared," and assassinated, for truth and justice, for reparation for those whose land has been taken, for no more kidnapping, for the end of the paramilitary, for the mobilization of society, and for political negotiations for peace.

Friday evening the Presbytery held a prayer vigil for peace. Although the focus was still on Colombia, they also prayed for the U.S. and for peace in Iraq. I was moved by the response we made to the confession of sins, "we have seen the abyss and have moved back. Lord, have mercy." (my translation). How true that is for me.

The sense of solidarity with movements around the world was continued during worship on Sunday when International Women's Day was recognized. The deep longing for peace and justice around the world and the commitment and courage to express that longing has been a significant part of my experience this week.

--Barbara Clawson, March 11, 2008