Following the election of a far-right candidate to the Colombian Presidency, Equity expresses solidarity with actors’ union ACA, trades unionists across Colombia, the Justice for Colombia campaign and all those seeking peace and social justice in Colombia. We are disturbed by the new President Abelardo de la Espriella’s expressed misogyny, homophobia and transphobia. This, along with his promise to dismantle the National Protection Unit, which has provided protection to activists and leaders at risk of violence, is very concerning.
Equity's solidarity statement with Colombian trades unionists
“Equity has been a proud affiliate to Justice for Colombia, the UK coalition supporting trades unionists and civil society leaders, for over 20 years. For almost three years, through mutual exchanges, financial support and solidarity we’ve deepened our relationship with our sister union in Colombia, ACA, in particular – helping them defend the rights of artists to organise, uphold freedom of expression, and build a new Colombian social settlement rooted in peace and justice.
"It is of grave concern that our friends and comrades Julio Hernán Correal Triana and Diana María Soledad Ángel Rodríguez have been directly and personally targeted following the recent Colombian presidential election. This intolerable attack against Colombian trades unionists and artists must be condemned by the British government, and all efforts made to ensure that they, and all ACA members and activists, are supported against a backdrop of a changing political landscape in Colombia.
"We stand in solidarity with them, and all ACA members, whose innovation and bravery in organising their union and our industries, is a deep inspiration to Equity in the UK. We are ready to support them in whatever way we can through FIA, Justice for Colombia, and directly through our unbreakable bilateral relationship.”
