Holding a poster of abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, recently released Franco-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt joined demonstrations around the world on Sunday urging an end to kidnappings. | Good for her. |
Thousands gathered near the Eiffel Tower to hear Betancourt, a Franco-Colombian politician rescued from captivity this month after spending more than six years as a hostage of Colombian rebel forces.
Betancourt was addressing a rally in the French capital as part of a series of demonstrations around the world to protest kidnappings. "We want freedom for everyone," said Betancourt, drawing loud applause from the crowd, many of whom chanted the Spanish word for freedom "Libertad!"
Betancourt's speech, delivered in Spanish, was shown on television in Colombia, which is also preparing to hold a mass anti-kidnapping rally on its national day. Hundreds of Colombians gathered in Madrid's Plaza Mayor over the weekend to call for peace in Colombia and to celebrate Betancourt's liberation.