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In a rare visit to the Bay Area, Colombian community leader Jesús Emilio Tuberquia speaks this coming week about the experience of community and nonviolence in the midst of war.
Jesús Emilio has far too much first-hand knowledge of just how dangerous it is to work for peace in the middle of a war zone. He is a founding member of the San Jose Peace Community located in northwest Colombia. In 1997, he and 800 other small farmers claimed their territory as a neutral civilian community, refusing to cooperate with any armed group. The community has survived threats, killings, massacres, disappearances, and food blockades by armed groups, including the U.S.-funded Colombian army.
Last Monday, a man entered the Peace Community, went to Jesús Emilio’s house and asked where he was, then walked around the settlement and asked others. On Wednesday, after threatening Peace Community members together with paramilitaries, the man was picked up by the Army and taken to the nearby army base.
Despite the threats and violence, Jesús Emilio and the Peace Community have succeeded in building a nonviolent community in resistance as an alternative to the war around them. Come hear their story.
Sunday, March 27, the Desayuno Colombiano will feature Jesús Emilio from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in la Casa de los Sentidos, hosted by Luis and Maria Claudia, at 2649 Folsom St. in San Francisco. $8 for a delicious Colombian breakfast!
Monday, March 28, 7 pm, Jesús Emilio will speak at Berkeley City College, at 2050 Center Street, right next to the downtown Berkeley BART station. Admission is free.
Tuesday, March 29, 7 pm, Jesús Emilio speaks at the Fairfax Community Church, 2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Farifax. $5-$10 at door, but no one turned away for lack of funds.
Sponsored by: Fellowship of Reconciliation, Peace Brigades International, UC Berkeley Peace and Conflict Studies, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Berkeley City College, Marin Interfaith Task Force, and Fairfax Councilman Larry Bragman.
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