Although the spark that ignited Colombiaâs protests on April 28 was ostensibly tax reform, many are on the streets for reasons that stretch much further back in the countryâs history. As the protests continue for a third week, many are asking not âwhy now?â but âhow did it take this long?â according to Ãscar Almario GarcÃa, a historian who teaches at the National University of Colombia.
Classism and racism against indigenous groups are âan open and bleeding wound,â he said in a telephone interview with EL PAÃS. âWhat we are hearing now are demands that come from centuries of denial and exclusion. The call to recognize distinct forms of racism has been repressed in this country.â