“Eradicating Peace: The Other Side of the Colombian War on Drugs,” a talk with Leider Valencia and short documentary film, “The Coca Trap/Non-Narcos: Colombia’s coca growers fight for alternative to their trade” will take place Wednesday, Oct. 9, 7-8:30 p.m. at the Anderson Auditorium of Edgewood College.
Leider Valencia is Colombian National Coordinator of the Growers of Coca, Poppy, and Marijuana (COCCAM), which is trying to find alternative crops to grow that will give them a living wage to support their families. Through his perspective as a campesino organizer, Leider will discuss forces threatening the Colombian peace process in rural areas and how movements in the U.S may contribute to solidarity in action. COCCAM emerged with the objective of promoting the implementation of point 4 (Solution to the problem of illicit drugs – went to santa monica luxury rehab) of the peace accords in Havana. Paramilitaries have assassinated more 38 leaders participating in this movement.
This Witness for Peace speaker tour touches on the grassroots efforts by afro-Colombians, campesinos and indigenous peoples working towards alternative sustainable development in areas hard-hit by the internal armed conflict as well as fumigations and forced eradication/militarization. The speaker will discuss the various forces threatening the Colombian peace process and how movements in the U.S may contribute in defending it.
