The Independence Day of Colombia is commemorated this Thursday in Washington, with remembrance events ranging from the visit to the White House of a group of Colombian-American leaders to commemorate the bilateral relationship, to the call for a protest in front of the Capitol of the US that seeks to demand the protection of Colombian immigrants in the US.
The Colombians who are demonstrating this Thursday seek to demand “immediate action” from the US Congress to protect undocumented nationals living in the US through Deferred Forced Departure, a petition that has already they had made in april during President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Washington.
This immigration relief, according to the activists, would help Colombians who fled the armed conflict to regularize their immigration status in the US, and would benefit some 182,000 people.
“Giving DEDs to undocumented Colombians like many in my family and community would help pave the way to peace for the entire country and region,” said Isaias Guerrero, organizer with Community Change Action. “This is urgent for the tens of thousands of undocumented Colombians, so that those who have been in the shadows can work with dignity and without fear of deportation.”
Other organizations such as the Colombia Away from Home Campaign, the Human Rights Committee of Colombia and CASA, will join the call.
In addition to the participation of Colombians residing in the Washington area, it was anticipated that residents of New York, New Jersey, Florida and Illinois would come to protest.
At the same time, a group of Colombian-Venezuelan leaders and diplomatic representatives of Colombia will arrive at the White House to discuss the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
“Colombia Day”, as it was called, will include the participation of Juan González, special assistant to President Joe Biden and principal director for the Western Hemisphere, Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia, Colombian ambassador to the US, among other officials.
“Today we honor the diversity of our country and the talent of our people. This Colombia Day at the White House is the recognition by the governments of Colombia and the US of the hard and silent work of our vibrant diaspora in the US,” he said. Ambassador Murillo.
It was anticipated that the celebration will feature a sample of Colombian flowers, coffee and cocoa.
The embassy will continue the commemoration with a special event at the Colombian Residence in Washington, which will include a business fair, a recognition act, and a concert.
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