The Caravan crosses the border at Tijuana
By Deyssy Jael de la Luz García
This is our first report from Jael, on the Caravan for Peace. Jael is a representative of Churches for Peace , and the Ecumenical Studies Centre, both partners of MCC Mexico. Jael is accompanying the Caravan crossing the USA from San Diego to Washington DC August 12 – September 12 and will be providing updates along the way. For more information on the Caravan, see http://www.globalexchange.org/mexico/caravan/
August 11, 2012
The journey of the Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity began in the city of Tijuana. A press conference was held at the Migrant House operated by Catholic brothers. Various speakers emphasized the importance of the Caravan as a project that has moved beyond the narratives of personal tragedy to weave a common struggle, and as such works to build links between victims and civil society organizations in North America.
Press conference in Tijuana
The themes of the caravan – the war on drugs, trafficking of arms, migration, money laundering, and bi-lateral cooperation – affect both countries. For this reason, the third Caravan (there were two previous ones in Mexico) will visit almost all the cities of the south and northeast of the USA over 30 days, and will strengthen the struggle for justice started two years by the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity (MPJD) in Mexico. The Caravans have been led by Mexican poet Javier Sicilia, and have been conceived as peaceful means to raise awareness among citizens about the impacts of the war of drugs in Mexico.
The caravans have made visible the deaths, disappearances, and criminalizations occurring now – these are not just collateral damage, but rather people with identities, names, families, children and dreams that were abruptly stolen from them.
Vigil at Chicano Park, San Diego
We listened to victims and family members testify for more than 2 hours. The testimonies were shared from various states in northern Mexico. Many expressed their sense of impotence at the seeming apathy of government authorities to investigate the crimes which is leading to impunity.
According to Fernando Ocegueda of “United for the Disappeared,” to date there are 2000 cases of forced disappearances in Tijuana alone. Only a few of the missing people have been found in common graves.
Border wall on beach at San Diego
Nancy Contreras of “Without Borders” pointed out that migrants continue to be criminalized. In order to confront xenaphobia, discrimination, and exclusion, it is necessary to nurture peace, the dignity of people, and continue to seek justice, she pointed out.
The most moving voice was the testimony of the mothers. Adriana Moreno of FUUNDEM – An organization of families of the disappeared – began her testimony saying: “Today my son turns 29 years old.” There was a profound silence in the room and various mothers could not contain their tears, as they surely thought about their own children. Adriana Moreno has been searching for her son for three years; other mothers for more than 15 years without stopping; the wait and the walk continue for them.
At the end, Javier Sicilia said that all the efforts of the families and victims are not in vain, since there is hope that soon there will be a new General Law of Victims and a Truth Commission in Mexico. He emphasized that: You are not alone.