The Peace Bridges International held an informative lecture on “Nonviolent Protection in Colombia” last Thursday in the Cyber Café of Ben Cherrington Hall. The NGO works to provide nonviolent international support in conflict-ridden areas. Volunteer Liza Smith shared her personal experience from nonviolent protection in Colombia and discussed the country’s problems and even sang a few Colombian folk songs. She opened with the song “Something There Before,” which was about Colombians not being allowed to remember what had happened to their land and to their family members. Paramilitary troops, guerilla warfare and rogue governmental agents kill citizens every day in Colombia, Smith said. They often accuse civilians of collaborating with the enemy. The conflict there has been going on for an estimated 40 to 60 years, said Smith. Smith then shared her personal experience from her work in Colombia. She showed slides of her accommodations, lifestyle, teammates and some of the human rights activists she had been there to protect. She began her trip in the capital Bogotá and was stationed in the mountains and forests. She did not leave until almost two years later. Smith also described the purpose of the Peace Brigades, which was founded in Canada in 1981. Peace Brigades is based on a concept from Gandhi, which advocates a nonviolent army. Thus, Peace Brigades is comprised of teams that, once invited into a country, serve to protect and accompany human rights defenders. Currently there are teams located tin five countries and 18 offices worldwide. Peace Brigades bases its safety and the safety of those its members protect on the leverage of politics and physical presence. Physical presence is evident in the green jackets members wear. The jackets also allow others to see that Peace Brigades are present to protect the activists. Potential aggressors are often deterred by Peace Brigades because they know that if they were to hurt a volunteer it would cause an international incident. Peace Brigades only goes into countries where members will have political leverage and cooperation from the government. They hold meetings with various officials and will stay in the country for as long as necessary. Peace Brigades’ volunteers must possess language skills and be at least 25 years old. Volunteers must also agree to a year-long commitment with an option to extend. Rather than aggressive recruitment, the program relies heavily on word of mouth from traveling volunteers who relate their experience. Many volunteers come from Europe, Canada and Latin America. During its 26 years of protection, safety and service, Peace Brigades has never lost a volunteer.”