The passages of the Law 70 or “Law of the Black Communities” in August 27, 1993, is one of the biggest achievements of the Afro-Colombian civil rights movement. This law is an instrument against the historical exclusion and lack of recognition Afro-descendants have suffered since slavery. According with Law 70, the Colombian government must guaranty the protection of the ancestral territories of the Afro-descendants, invest in their economic development, and protect their cultural identity and civil rights. Despite exclusion, discrimination, poverty, forced displacement and expropriation of their collective territories, Afro-Colombian grassroots communities honor the legacy of their ancestors and continue resisting and proposing peaceful solutions under the framework of the Law 70.

 

    The Community Councils, are recognized by law as the maxim authority of internal administration for the collective territories. The Community Councils oversee for the conservancy and protection of the collective property and environment, the protection of their cultural rights, and the collective titling process. As they consistently have to opposed to large scale projects that attempt against their sustainable practices, the Community Councils faced permanent threats, harassment and assassination. Many leaders and members of the Community Councils, have lost their lives while protecting the land and environment inherited from their ancestors and consider today part of the biological patrimony of the humanity.

 

    While in May 21st it is celebrated the slave emancipation in Colombia, it is important to recreated the memory with the history of resistance and peaceful contributions of Afro-Colombians to the building of a democratic  and prosperous society, and their contribution to the African Diaspora through their endurance and struggle.  To contribute to such recognition, a network of human rights activists and non-profit organizations are amplifying those Afro-Colombian grassroots voices within the legislative in the US to make sure that  US policies, programs and economic development efforts in their territories are guided by Law 70 and enforce its framework.

 

    You can make difference by staying informed and taking action. Question US policies related to Afro-Colombian and Indigenous development and ancestral territories. Ask your legislative to not support any policy toward Colombia before ensuring that the Afro-Colombian and Indigenous rights are not violated or affected. Inform others about the Afro-Colombians.