"If a Colombian child raises his voice like Greta does, they send for him to be killed" (Interview)

[Judi Lynn]

December 13, 2019

Colombian activist Francia Márquez denounces the living conditions of black and indigenous communities and the plundering of their natural environment.

Francia Márquez continues to pay a very expensive toll to denounce the abuses suffered by the black, indigenous and peasant communities in Colombia. She is the target of those who want to silence her for coming out against the extremely poor conditions of these groups and against the plundering of their surroundings, with the consequent environmental impact that it entails. As the Goldman Prize winner, the ‘Green Nobel’, and observer in the peace talks with the FARC, she is one of the most authoritative voices to talk about the great challenges facing one of the countries with the highest socioeconomic inequality rate in the world. She spoke about it at the Casa Amèrica Catalunya, which recognized her with the Joan Alsina Human Rights Award.

Protests spread across Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador … What spark has ignited in South America?

What has Latin America in the street has to do with many kinds of violence: murders of social leaders, indigenous people, blacks and rural communities. It has to do with a classist, racist and patriarchal state that does not guarantee rights. With the injustices of the judicial system and with an economic model of development that has put the life of the planet at risk. It has to do with a young population that no longer believes the politicians and who are against the policies imposed by this economic model of development.

11 generations are required to get out of poverty in Colombia. Do you have faith that this revolt is the fuse that transforms the country?

We will not wait 11 generations to make the change or the planet will no longer exist. Change is now and the people are doing it. Young people and children are getting it. It begins with changing the conscience, recognizing the privileges of a few Colombian families that have profited in the name of the State, trampled on the dignity of the great majority and without respecting the territory. They see it as a simple object that can be exploited to accumulate capital.

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