Violence Erupts at Bogotá’s ‘Hip Hop to the Park’ Festival, Injuring Multiple Police Personnel
Bogotá, Colombia – A hip hop festival held in Simón Bolívar Park, Bogotá, descended into violence on Saturday, resulting in injuries to at least 12 police assistants, four police officers, and a festival manager.The incident stemmed from a breach of security by individuals attempting to enter the event.
According to the district Government Secretariat, the unrest began when “informal liquor sellers broke the fences on the northern sidewalk of 63 street to forcibly enter the event.” When police intervened to stop the unauthorized entry, attendees reportedly “attacked police personnel and entities with blunt elements such as stones and bottles.”
Bogotá Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán condemned the violence, stating, “We are going to take the necesary measures so that these facts are not repeated and ask the authorities to identify those responsible.” he further reported that 12 police assistants, four police officers, and a ‘Hip Hop to the Park’ manager sustained injuries during the attacks.
A especially concerning injury involved an 18-year-old policewoman who suffered a cranioencephalic trauma after being struck in the head. “While Bogotá puts resources to organize this festival annually, some maladaptive vendors fearful attack police assistants and police officers in charge of monitoring the event,” Galán added.
The Government Secretariat stated that its “Social Dialog team carried out a security cordon to mobilize the wounded auxiliaries to the closest assistance point of the event.” Control of the event space was subsequently regained with the assistance of the Gufud and Undmo.This incident follows a similar outbreak of violence less than a month ago at the movistar Arena, where a concert by the Argentine cumbia group, Ladies, was canceled after clashes between fans led to property damage and injuries. In that instance, individuals forced entry by breaking glass doors at the venue.
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Source: Noticias Caracol
Author: Sandra Soriano Soriano, Digital Coordinator