Ithaca College

Community Leader Jesús Emilio Tuberquia speaks on the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Peace Community of San José de Apartadó

TUESDAY April 12 2:35-3:50 pm

Campus Center Taughannock Falls Room, Ithaca College

For the past five decades, a civil war has raged in Colombia, ensnaring innocent civilians into the middle of the violent conflict. In 1997, 800 small farmers claimed their territory as a neutral civilian community and refused to cooperate with armed groups of any form (including military or police), establishing the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó.

The community has since survived threats, killings, massacres, the disappearances of over 170 community members and food blockades perpetrated by various armed actors including the US-funded Colombian military. Despite this violent pressure, the people of San José de Apartadó have succeeded in building a non-violent community in resistance.

Jesús Emilio Tuberquia is one of the community’s founding members as well as its current legal representative.

This national speaking tour is organized by the Fellowship ofReconciliation (FOR), Peace Brigades International (PBI) and the Latin American Studies Program at Loyola University Chicago.

 Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation should contact prodriguez@ithaca.edu or 607-274.5714