Protest and vandalism in public space

Abstract

In Latin America, public space is no longer the place for social gatherings and less for recreation. Now, it is a setting of confrontation where the protest is manifested and in the midst of this, public property is vandalized. This article analyzes the protests in Bogotá, which occurred in critical periods between 2019 and 2021, and the acts of violence and vandalism associated with these demonstrations. Riot police and demonstrators were interviewed, and the news published by the newspaper El Tiempo in relation to these protests was taken. The information was analyzed using Atlas.ti program, giving rise to categories that grouped the motivations to participate in the protest, its planning, the places where it is manifested, the impacts, and the role of the media. The results are discussed from different hypotheses to explain their relationship with vandalism and possible solutions through the search for a more egalitarian society.

Keywords:
Public demonstrations; Collective action; Confrontation scenario; Media; Public space in times of crisis