Eradicating Peace: The Other Side of the Colombian War on DrugsSeptember 30, 2019 at 6–7:30 p.m.

This presentation by Leider Valencia from COCCAM (Campesino Coordination of Coca, Poppy and Marijuana Growers) in Colombia titled "Eradicating Peace: the other side of the Colombian War on Drugs." This presentation comes to campus through Witness for Peace Organization. The presentation will address 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. These struggles come in the aftermath of the 2016 peace accords between FARC and the Colombian government as well as a staggering number of assassinations against environmental, land and indigenous rights defenders. These leaders will discuss the recent Minga in Cauca, Colombia, which was met by tremendous violence by the state security forces leaving at least 16 people dead. The speaker will discuss the various forces threatening the Colombian peace process and how movements in the U.S may contribute in defending it.  See attached flyer.  Here you can learn more about the work this organization does: https://witnessforpeace.org/