The Foreign Page: Throngs Honor Murdered Gaitan

Transcript (Download)

Horte Gaetan lies in his coffin and peace returns at last to Bogota.

Idol of Colombia's working men and little people, his assassination touched off a bloody upheaval in which 500 died.

His widow, shown with their 10 -year -old daughter, at first refused a funeral until conservative President Pérez resigned.

Then the government proposed that Béry will be in Gaetan's home, which would become an honored shrine.

And so the thud of spades in the room where once he worked, writes an end to the promising career of the beloved Gaetan.

Around the liberal leader's home, a national park is planned, crowned by a statue of the martyr.

Now from all Colombia, the men and women who remembered Gaetan as their friend and mentor come to do him reverence.

But the sorrow is not alone for the liberal chieftain.

It is for Bogota's 500 unburied dead and 2 ,000 injured as well.

Senora Gaetan and daughter Gloria join 20 ,000 other mourners in the long procession.

There is no disorder, though not a policeman or soldier is on duty at the service.

Wearing red and black armbands, liberal party members control the mob.

The world will not soon forget the whose violent death ignited one of the worst disasters in South American history.

Back in session at the quickly repaired Capitolio, the Pan American Conference passes an anti -communist resolution.

Though not blaming the Reds for Gaetan's death, the conferees remember red slogans which greeted their arrival, Down with Truman, Down with Marshall.

The conference answers with a request for improved economic conditions to wipe out communism's breeding areas.

Identifier

F.2012-03-0656b

Date Of Production

April 1948

Abstract

Newsreel footage documents the assassination and funeral of Colombian political leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán.

Description

This film opens with footage of deceased Colombian political leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán as he lay in a coffin following his assassination. Widow Amparo Jaramillo Jaramillo and daughter Gloria Gaitán attend the funeral held at Gaitán’s home, where they are surrounded by 20,000 other mourners. Concluding footage shows the Pan-American Conference as it passes an anti-communist resolution.

Run Time

0:02:05

Format

16mm

Extent

71 feet

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Print

Genre

Journalism

Form

Newsreels

Subject

Funeral rites and ceremonies
History
Murders
Politicians

Related Collections

SUBSERIES IX: Military & Foreign Affairs

Related Places

South America ➜ Colombia ➜ Bogota

Distributor

Telenews (Firm)

Main Credits

Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

Participants And Performers

Meltzer, Newton (is narrator)

Gaitán, Jorge Eliécer (is participant)

Do you know more about this item?

If you have more information about this item please contact us at info@chicagofilmarchives.com.