Follow-Up Report

Pan y Paz
Sept. 24, 2003

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and actions of solidarity surrounding this year's Pan y Paz activities. Pan y Paz or Bread and Peace, is a movement that underlines the relationship between economic justice and a lasting peace.

Though there was some resistance from one major newspaper, in the end, all the papers published our open letter to all Colombia's armed actors calling for peace one day out of the year. The Colombian Mennonite, Mennonite Brethren and Brethren in Christ Churches affirmed the United Nations' International Day of Peace by calling for a cease-fire during the 24 hours of September 21. We have not heard reports that our request was honored, but we hope that many civilians and armed actors took note and for at least a moment considered the possibility.

The Anabaptists Churches of Colombia will continue to be faithful by denouncing the use of violence to seek peace despite increasing hostility toward organizations and individuals who take this stand. They will continue to pronounce the alternative path to a lasting peace with justice for Colombia, demonstrated by Jesus Christ and called for by the prophets. It is peace with sufficient bread, employment, healthcare, and education for all people.

The public concert in the park the evening of Saturday the 20th drew a crowd of about 150 people (as counted at one point during the event). Other groups represented were Doctors without Boarders, Peace Territories- Love in Action, and local Mennonite Congregations. Some attributed the small crowd to a rise in political tension exacerbated by recent remarks by Colombian President Uribe while others attributed it to the cold, rainy weather.

Those of us who attended the music concert, however, were blessed by the salsa rhythms and Andean flutes as well as by the community we experienced in celebrating and sharing bread with one another. There were several attendees who enjoyed the event to the very utmost, dancing the night away! Two little Colombian girls and a new MCC worker of 3 years demonstrated exuberance and love of life in the midst of dreary weather and a climate of hostility.

The Pan y Paz movement is receiving increasing reception among other Protestant churches in Colombia. The materials and information we sent out enabled churches in different parts of Colombia to have their own celebrations on Sunday September 21st. The same occurred in several churches in the United States.

The seven-point pledge of nonviolence that was distributed via email and business cards urges people to commit to a non-violent style of life, which includes family and personal relationships, refusal to carry arms, and support of alternative economic development. We are creating a database to register the pledge signers so that peace initiatives will not be limited to events but be a true grassroots movement.

The seven-point pledge is available online.

Charlotte Shristi