A-Infos (en) US, Portland: Anarchists March to Remember Nicolas David Alvares

Today a group of anarchist protestors marched through downtown
Portland carrying a mock casket in honor of Nicolas Ddavid Neira
Alvares, a 15-year old anarchist beaten to death by police in Bogota,
Columbia on may day.
The turn-out was small, but focused, and began at pioneer square
and made its way through downtown--blocking the bus here and
the streets here and there--and to the Saturday marketplace, and
then down 1st Avenue to the world trade center, where the casket
was left at the door under the guard of a security officer who raised
his fist in solidarity with the marchers when they arrived.

As vibrant South American music played through a loudspeaker
and various speakers keeping the marchers hungry, passers-by
joined the march for a time and people watching voiced their
support.

Text from the flyer that was passed out:

"After suffering for 7 days in critical condition from severe head
trauma and contusions in his body, Nicolas David Neira Alvares
died at age 15. He was brutally beaten by 8 policemen in Bogota,
Columbia, and left to die. Like many others around the world,
Nicolas had participated in a May Day march to commemorate the
struggle for workers rights and the 8 hour work day, and the
Haymarket martyrs of Chicago. According to accounts there was
music and dancing in Bogota on May Day. As the march reached
the downtown area, cops suddenly opened fire with tear gas and
rubber bullets. Exploiting the chaos that ensued, the cops charged
into the crowd brutally beating people.They singled out Nicolas, a
15 yr. old male anarchist and beat him into unconsciousness. Many
bravely attempted to interfere to rescue him. Nicolas Alvares was
taken to the Salud Coop Hospital but the trauma was so extensive
that they were unable to operate to save him. Many other marchers
were severely injured. The survivors are planning to come together
to sue. Through the efforts of independent media sources the story
has gotten out and the Colombian media has been forced to give it
mention. But more international support is needed to help these
cases to be taken seriously. Those of us within the United States
must speak up against this murdering of dissent. The United States
government, military contractors, CIA, and corporate interests
support the extreme right wing in Columbia, arming the
paramilitaries and massacring resistance to environmental and labor
exploitation. It is time for the PEOPLE within the US to stand
against it, and to ally ourselves with those who work and dream of a
better world for all people. Write or call the Colombian Embassy!"

Embajada de Colombia, 2118 Leroy Place, NW, Washington
DC 20008; Phone: (202) 387 8338 Fax: (202) 232 8643
emwas@colombiaemb.org

To support the family and comrades of Alvares,
email floresmagon_cna@yahoo.com

Pictures and further info at:
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2005/05/317404.shtml


http://portland.indymedia.org
-----------------------
Copied from infoshop.org
_______________________________________________
A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
http://ainfos.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/a-infos-en