Colombian Convicted for Racism Directed at Nation's Black VP
A 62-year-old woman has been convicted of discrimination and harassment for making racist comments about Colombia's first Black vice president during an antigovernment protest last year.
BOGOTA (COLOMBIA) -- A 62 year-old woman was convicted Monday of harassment and discrimination after making racist remarks about Colombia's first Black vice-president during an antigovernment demonstration last year.
Luz Fabiola Rubiano has pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 30 by the judge. Discrimination in Colombia is punishable by up to three years imprisonment, but judges may substitute prison time with parole, or house arrest.
After she attacked Vice President Francia Martez in a video posted by a local news website, the Bogota-based small business owner became a viral sensation. Rubiano protested in front of Colombia's congress, and she responded to a journalist's question by throwing insults at Marquez as well as Afro-Colombians.
Rubiano stated that 'apes are now ruling us' in the video. The video is still accessible on Twitter but has been censored by other platforms. "Francia Marquez, an ape, is now governing us. What education can Black people have? They steal, attack, and kill.
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They accused Rubiano of inciting hatred, and causing damage to Marquez's reputation and Colombia's Afro-Colombian populations.
After helping Gustavo Petro, a leftist, win the presidential election last year, Marquez was elected Colombia's first Black vice-president. She has spoken out often about racism in Colombian, saying it is part of colonialism's legacy.