Colombia's call for a concert against 'genocide' in Palestine

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called on artists to join a major concert in Bogota, aimed at protesting what he termed as the Israeli "genocide" against Palestinians.

cumhuriyet.com.tr

This initiative follows remarks by Puerto Rican rapper Rene Perez Joglar, known as "Residente," who criticized Israel's actions against Palestinian civilians on social media.

Petro invites artists inclined to use their art for social commentary to join him in this significant event at either the Plaza de Bolivar or Simon Bolivar Park. He envisions this concert as a stand against genocide and a celebration of life. Petro hopes that the event will spark a broader movement, extending to Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, and other regions of Colombia. He encourages communities to come together in solidarity through art and music, to voice a collective call to action against the ongoing violence.

This call for artistic involvement follows Residente's announcement last month of postponing his new album due to the persistent conflict in Palestine, coupled with a critique of the music industry's silence on the Gaza "genocide."

This development underscores the growing international focus on the situation in Palestine and the role of art and music as powerful tools for political expression and solidarity.