CPTnet
March 22, 2004

COLOMBIA REFLECTION: A prayer to remember

by Sandra Milena Rincón

[Translated from the original Spanish by Anglo CPTers on Colombia team.]

 "God of life, give us the strength to hold high the living word"

On March 8, 2004, nearly 700 members of the Popular Women's Organization
(OFP) of Colombia's Middle Magdalena region commemorated International
Woman's Day with the slogan "Women take the streets." Members of the OFP
struggle for a dignified life in the middle of an armed conflict.

"May trust in you fill my daily endeavours"

We went to three of the OFP's "Women's Houses" in Barrancabermeja which give
refuge to people whom the organization considers to be most at risk of
paramilitary attack. We made ourselves available to accompany every woman
and man present. There were flowers, music, banners, chocolate and
beautiful, smiling people but also present was the fear that the
paramilitaries could ruin this celebration.

"Forgive me and help me to forgive the bringers of pain and violence...."

After a few moments of coordination and preparation at the OFP headquarters,
all the invited guests (Social, Human Rights, Peasant, Church and Union
organizations, the media and others) took buses to the City Hall. There all
the women of the OFP linked hands and lay in the streets, forming a large
living human body, feeling the rhythm of their slogans, their applause and
especially their firm belief that women have rights that all members of
society need to respect. Most of the women wore a black robe as symbol of
their opposition to the war.

"Lord of Life protect our sons, daughters and our homes"

After the action, which gained the attention of the mayor who finally
agreed to a meeting with the OFP that they had requested several weeks ago,
the women marched up the main street. Hundreds of voices called for peace,
dignity and civility. "It's better to live with fear than to stop living
because of fear," "We won't bear or raise children for the war" and "Not
another man nor woman nor peso for the war."

"Lord of Life, protect us from so much hate and perverted minds"

When the march ended, everyone gathered at a city park and recited the
Prayer for Civility, where they affirmed that God is the one who can guide
people on the path of forgiveness that builds and looks for life for
everyone in Colombia.

"Lord of Life, permit us to enjoy the strength that is felt in being
together."

And the CPTers? We walked the whole time along this river of life feeling
really happy. We were at the side of an organization with the clear mandate
of resisting violence. We believe that all human beings have the
possibility and the responsibility to sincerely commit ourselves to build a
world of hope. And I, as a Colombian, felt a great desire to lie on the
ground with these women, without taking off my CPT shirt! I think my
teammates felt the same......

"For Civility, for life, for the Word. Guide us in every moment. Amen"

___________

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