No Más Muertes - part 1
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

No Más Muertes march brings American, Mexican activists together

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Marchers from Nogales, Sonora and Nogales, Arizona converged on the border Sunday, May 30, to shine light on perilous lives of the thousands of Hispanic migrants who attempt to cross the Sonoran desert of Arizona in hopes of securing jobs and better lives for their families. Both marchers started around noon and wound up at the checkpoint by 1:00 pm, where the Arizona procession crossed the border and joined the Mexican group. Hundreds of white crosses, each representing a death of a migrant, were hung on the Sonora side of the fence. Many had a migrant’s name written on them, many more did not.

After the marchers hung all their crosses, everyone walked through the streets of Nogales back to Plaza Hidalgo. Organizers gave out free food and watermelon agua fresca. A small art exhibit of photos and paintings was set up for people to check out. Indigenous Yaquis preformed dances and music, migrants gave personal testimony of their trips, and many others spoke of the dangers and problems with the desert and the policy that is militarizing it.

In the back of the festival, an ad-hoc discussion circle led by youth organizers brought people together from both sides of the fence for a bi-lingual brainstorming session. Representatives from the Mexican Red Cross spoke with the group, talking about their efforts to provide medical help to the migrants caught by the US Border Patrol and dumped back in Mexico.

It was clear that the battle in the desert is being fought on all fronts, from direct action, militarized intervention and political persuasion. Everyone was worried that this summer could be as deadly, if not more, than last year, when over 200 migrants died attempting to cross the border. Constant harassment from BP and vigilante militia groups has made the problem far worse. And trade deals like NAFTA, CAFTA and the FTAA are widening the income and standard of living gaps between the US and Latin America.

Several groups are now working full-time on border issues, representing a variety of tactics, from providing water, food and now staffed aid stations to putting pressure on politicians like Arizona Senator John McCain and Congressman Raúl Grijalva. For information on the border, and the many groups working for (and against) human rights, check out Border Action Network’s resource page.

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handing out lit
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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fliers were given to passing cars with open windows

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at the checkpoint
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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we marched through several lanes of cars entering the US

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at the checkpoint
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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we carried a few hundred crosses, each one representing someone who had died trying to cross the border

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on the fence
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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on of the march's leaders jumped up onto a fence and led chants

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waving crosses at the BP
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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Arizona march arrives
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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The marchers from the Arizona side arrive to the checkpoint

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leaving the checkpoint
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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after closing about 3 lanes of the checkpoint for about 20 minutes, we leave to meet with the Arizona march

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Mexican BB
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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marches converge
by Emrys Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2004 at 9:14 AM

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The marchers from Arizona coverge with the Sonora march, bringing hundreds more crosses

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