Colombians march to urge Congress to back social reform package

People attend a demonstration calling for free education and the approval of a basic income, in Bogota, Colombia August 26, 2021. REUTERS/Nathalia Angarita

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters demonstrated peacefully in Colombia on Thursday to urge its congress to approve union-backed social and economic policies supporters say will benefit the most vulnerable.

Unions, student organizations and other groups held some six weeks of marches https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/colombia-protests-enter-third-week-with-national-strike-2021-05-12 between the end of April and June to reject a subsequently-withdrawn tax reform and other bills they said would perpetuate deep inequality. Road blockades associated with the protests halted exports and led to shortages.