As part of a six-member Solidarity Center delegation, Florida State AFL-CIO Vice President Mike Williams learned about Colombian workers’ constant struggle for social and economic justice—and why U.S workers need to hear their story.

Day 11—We arrived at the airport about 2-1/2 hours early to catch our 9:00 a.m. flight into Miami. There were two incredibly long lines, one to pay an exit tax and another to obtain the plane ticket. After working our way through the process, we boarded the plane and flew into Miami.

Upon entering immigration and customs in Miami we were required to present our passports and declaration papers. The officer scanned my passport and asked me to follow him. I was taken into a holding room for ID verification. I was told there was a watch for someone with a similar name and birth date. I was asked for information that was not on my passport such as Social Security number, place of birth, and other personal data. The information was called in to a national database office for confirmation. I was detained for over two hours in the holding area. I attempted to use my cell phone and was told that no electronic devices were allowed in the holding area. I asked if I could step out into another area to use the phone and armed officers told me to stay in the holding room. It was as if I were under arrest until verification took place.

Finally, a call came in and the officer received confirmation that I was the person referenced on my passport. The loss of individual rights for the sake of security is an issue for serious reflection. The boarding time for my Tallahassee connection had passed by this time. I was screened at customs for my carry-on bag, picked up my luggage, carried the luggage to the check-in, passed through the concourse screening/metal detector, and hustled to the gate. My name was being called over the speaker system as the doors were being closed. I made it just in time. I landed in Tallahassee, picked up my car, and drove home to St. Marks. It was nice being back on the river.

General thoughts and observations not previously communicated:

The solidarity and perseverance of the workers are incredible.
You would not be able to distinguish union leaders from rank and file members—there are no airs of importance or pretensions.
Motorcycle/moped riders and passengers are required to wear an orange vest with the bike’s tag number in large print on the back of the vest and a helmet with the tag number on the back of the helmet.
There are no washcloths in hotel rooms.
Hotel showers have no hot/cold control.
Violence and intimidation seem to be a part of expected everyday life.
Everyone you meet is your friend.
In cities, the military, armed with automatic weapons, is stationed on every street corner and the entrances to major businesses such as hotels.
Sidewalk vendors are on every street.
1,650 pesos = $1. Try keeping up with that in your head as you attempt to convert a purchase into U.S. dollars.
Bottled water is not the norm in rural areas; bagged water is common. You puncture the bag by biting the corner, then place the punctured corner at your mouth and squeeze.
The paramilitary is, in part, financed and housed by multinational companies.
Over 30 members of the Colombian Congress are under investigation for paramilitary associations and ties.

I hope these logs have been, in some way, meaningful to each of you.

Click on the links below to read the rest of the daily logs:

Day 1, July 20: The Journey Begins
Day 2, July 21: We Meet True Worker and Human Rights Champions
Day 3, July 22: Colombian Miners: “We Are Treated Like Pieces of Coal”
Day 4, July 23: “What Can We Do that Has Some Meaning?”
Day 5, July 24: Meeting the “Forgotten” Workers
Day 6, July 25: “For Union Workers, Our Government Has Abandoned Us!”
Day 7, July 26: Worker Solidarity: “Do Not Forget Juan’s Face!”
Day 8, July 27: “The Most Beautiful Place in the World”
Day 9, July 28: An Informative Political Briefing
Day 10, July 29: “The Circle of Death” and Other Issues