Circus performers protest killing of two clowns in Colombia

Some 50 acrobats, harlequins, animal trainers and other circus performers marched through the streets in eastern Colombia to protest the killing of two clowns during a performance this week.

The clowns were shot dead in the middle of a nighttime performance Tuesday in Cucuta, about 400 miles (650 kilometers) from Bogota near the border with Venezuela, the AP said.

During Thursday's protest, the performers chanted, "Justice for the assassins of laughter."

Police said they have not uncovered any clues or motive in the killings of the clowns, Willington Villamizar, known as "Rony," and Nelson Nunez, known as "Andres."

During subsequent shows, the performers and audience observed a minute of silence in memory of the dead clowns.