Marcha Migrante II @ Mexico/US border, 02.-17. Feb 2007

The Migrants March was planed by Border Angels, a civil right group based in San Diego, California: Founded by Enrique Morones in 2001, Border Angels is a non-profit organization supporting humanity. The organization consists of extraordinary volunteers who want to stop unnecessary deaths of inviduals traveling through the Imperial Valley desert areas and the mountain areas surrounding San Diego County, as well as the areas located around the United States and Mexican border. The high percentage of unnecessary deaths have been results of extreme heat and cold weather conditions, in addition some have sadly been the results of racial-descrimination crimes.

"Migrant March I" took place from February 2-28, 2006. A caravan of vehicles crossed the country San Diego to Washington, D.C. and back demanding justice for the migrants, no more deaths, asking the communities to take to the street and march against HR 4437 & support humane and comprehensive immigration reform. (see :: Angry White Kid report)

Marcha Migrante II - overview

San Diego (02. Feb): We planted the first of 4400 crosses and honored Oscar Garcia Barrios killed at border May 18th, 2006 as a very emotional letter was read (by Micaela Saucedo) from his mother. We then said good bye to all and 25 autos joined the MARCHA MIGRANTE II as we headed to our first stop the Holtville cemetery. Holtville (02. Feb): We planted 440 crosses for the unidentified but not forgotten migrants buried there. Yuma (03. Feb): We were met by 100 local community members and we placed 100 crosses for those that have died in the region the last 2 years alone. Phoenix (03. Feb): In the evening 500 people met us as we camped out and joined Elias Bermudez and other Arizona locals on a "fast for justice" 464 more crosses on the fences surrounding the camp site. Tucson (04. Feb): Isabel Garcia shares two heartbreaking stories of the tragic deaths of two children. Father Carney, Kat Rodriguez, Alexis Mazon and all of us were moved to tears as 12 year old Mathew (the youngest of the caravan group, asked "why we killing all these people" as 200 crosses laid in the middle of our circle. Douglas (04. Feb): Deliver supplies to migrants and to remember the tragic murder of Francisco Javier Dominguez (killed in the region, last month)

McAllen to Brownsville (09. Feb): Hundreds gathered to say welcome and join the caravan !!! We held a rousing rally, heard heartbreaking testimonials and had car after car join the caravan!!! It was a beautiful sight as 30+ autos joined MARCHA MIGRANTE II and went from McAllen to Weslaco to Brownsville for presentations and to hear testimonials. Eagle Pass (10. Feb): We meet with the Institute of Mexican Abroad, Border Commission. We are again welcomed with wonderful kindness and support. We attend meetings and forums with locals, local authorities and discuss realities, policies and here stories of why we need the humane immigration reform NOW! Towards San Antonio (11. Feb): Stormy weather but nothing like what our brethren face when they travel North... Tomorrow I fly to Nebraska to debate F.A.I.R. president Dan Stien, others go to HUTTO PRISON for protest vigil and others attend Human Rights Border conference.

Chronology of MARCHA MIGRANTE II

Feb 2 California

Gracias !!! San Diego, Tijuana and all for a WONDERFUL send off !!! Aztec dancers, Mauricio Farrah and the Mexico Human Rights Commission, people from Mexico, the US and lots of national and international media !!! Wow !!!. After an hour ceremony we plated the first of 4400 crosses and honored Oscar Garcia Barrios killed at border May 18th, 2006 as a very emotional letter was read (by Micaela Saucedo) from his mother. We then said good bye to all and 25 autos joined the MARCHA MIGRANTE II as we headed to our first stop the Holtville cemetery. In Holtville, we planted 440 crosses for the unidentified but not forgotten migrants buried there. (see :: Migrant Mass Grave at Holtville in Words :: and Pictures) It was a very moving experience and again the first of our stops as we headed on our 5,000 mile journey.

We ended the night by placing 60 crosses on the Mexicali/Calexico border wall and asked, that like in Tijuana/San Diego we have permanent crosses to continuously remind us of the unjust suffering and death of our brethren.

Feb 3 Arizona

After sleeping in a church in Somerton, we went to Yuma where we were met by 100 local community members and we placed 100 crosses for those that have died in the region the last 2 years alone. They fed us and after fellowship we hit the road to Phoenix where we were to meet with the National Leadership (MALDEF, Peter Schey, HERMANDAD MEXICANA, Rosa Rosales, LULAC, Nativo Lopez, Angela Sombrano, Gloria Saucedo, DERECHOS HUMANOS, Isabel Garcial, Senator Gil Cedillo, AFSC, Arnoldo Garcia, ... etc) of the movement for Latino rights: when we arrived, we were moved to tears as they gave us a rousing standing ovation. After our talk about our mission, (to hear the stories from the migrants themselves on why we need the human immigration reform, to later take to DC) we were again given a rousing standing ovation GRACIAS TODOS!!!

In the evening 500 people met us as we camped out and joined Elias Bermudez and other Arizona locals on a "fast for justice" 464 more crosses on the fences surrounding the camp site, beautiful. At the revival Estela de los Rios of our MARCHA read another of the touching letters and then we prayed, we danced and we cried. Gracias Phoenix, and thanks for the beautiful send off the next day.

Feb 4 Arizona

Off to Tucson, where we arrive at the sacred EL TIRADITO shrine where local activist, religious leaders and community folks lead us in a very spiritual ceremony to remember not only the hundreds that have died in the region the last few years, but Isabel Garcia shares two heartbreaking stories of the tragic deaths of two children. Father Carney, Kat Rodriguez, Alexis Mazon and all of us were moved to tears as 12 year old Mathew (the youngest of the caravan group) asked "why we killing all these people" as 200 crosses laid in the middle of our circle.

Off to Douglas to deliver supply to migrants and to remember the tragic murder of Francisco Javier Dominguez (killed in the region, last month). We met with a local Border ministry group and Meagan led us in song, psalms and reflection before our own Francisco Dominguez placed a cross for his namesake at the memorial for our fallen brethren.

Feb 5 Texas (El Paso Today) next (6th) Redford (Eziquiel Hernandez tribute) (7th) Del Rio, Txs & Acuna, Mexico

Today we head to Texas, please remember every day at noon to say a prayer or have a moment of reflection for our brethren and for all of us as we continue on MARCHA MIGRANTE II where we will have updates on www.borderangels.org where you can get information on how to support us, join us, buy a tshirt or simply pray for us and see you all the 17th @ the ALL PEOPLE'S IMMIGRATION HEARING upon our return.

Feb 9 McAllen, Texas to Brownsville, Texas (turnaround point)

Que Viva Benigno Pena,!!! WOW what a reception in McAllen, as hundreds gathered to say welcome and join the caravan !!! We held a rousing rally, heard heartbreaking testimonials and had car after car join the caravan!!! It was a beautiful sight as 30 plus autos joined MARCHA MIGRANTE II and went from McAllen to Weslaco to Brownsville for presentations and to hear testimonials. Thank you Benigno and staff as this was the perfect stop, we were so pleased we are prepared to open a BORDER ANGELS office in the Lone Star State !!!.

Feb 10th Eagle Pass, Texas

We meet with the Institute of Mexican Abroad, Border Commission. We are again welcomed with wonderful kindness and support. We attend meetings and forums with locals, local authorities and discuss realities, policies and here stories of why we need the humane immigration reform NOW ! We cross border and have a wonderful dinner in Piedras Negras, Mexico.

It is also great that we have Eileen Truax (LA OPINION) and Diego Sedano (Documentary) with us on MARCHA MIGRANTE II as LA OPINION is giving daily updates (as is National Media) on our cross border trip. Graicas a todos los amigos de la prensa!!!

Feb 11th off to San Antonio

Stormy weather but nothing like what our brethren face when they travel North, we place crosses in San Antonio before we leave and arrive late in afternoon. Tomorrow we again break group in two as I fly to Nebraska to debate F.A.I.R. president Dan Stien, others go to HUTTO PRISON for protest vigil and other attend Human Rights Border conference with leading Border organizations.

Feb 12 - 13 San Antonio

Feb 14 - 15 New Mexico

Feb 16 Los Angels

From San Diego to Washington D.C., Feb 16, 2006 ...

NO ON HR 4437 & NO MORE DEATHS
... the immigration reform group Border Angels & Gente Unida have arrived and are currently visiting legislators on the hill. On Saturday February 18th a press confernce/rally was planed in D.C. @ Capitol Building area:
Border Angels, Gente Unida and other supporters have marched/caravaned all the way to Washington DC to ask the Senate to vote no on HR 4437 and demand justice for migrants.
In Washington, the group will protest a measure passed by the House of Representatives that calls for more border security but does not provide for a guest worker program.
Something must be done, since 1994, at least 4,000 immigrants have died trying to enter the U.S. "Four thousand deaths is too many," Morones says. "Building walls is not the solution, but building bridges of communication is." We will be heard!!!

Feb 17 San Diego

All People's Immigration Hearing was AMAZING!
To commemorate the success of Marcha Migrante II, local activist organizations Gente Unida and the Border Angels held an ALL PEOPLE'S IMMIGRATION HEARING (www.activistsandiego.org/wwwboard/viewtopic.php?t=15513) yesterday in San Ysidro to counter the bogus hearings held in San Diego last fall. Over 50 audience members applauded speaker after speaker who called for an IMMEDIATE END to the racial hatred and corporate control that continues to cost migrant workers their lives and their livelihoods every day. (continued)

Enrique Morones chaired the panel discussion regarding the U.S.'s failed immigration policies and what is being done to create change. Presenters spoke in both Spanish and English to offer their scathing indictments of legislators of both major political parties as well as the Minutemen and other hate groups. Recent immigrants talked about the difficulties they encounter crossing the border and the blatant discrimination they experience trying to find work, or to become teachers, doctors, and lawyers. Candidates for public office spoke about the barriers they intend to tear down in order to be heard, in order to find dignity in a nation with a history of violating treaties and colonizing its neighbors. Authors talked about the need to stop the U.S.'s control of financial and agricultural markets in Mexico, especially when it comes to corn and its genetic modification. Maize is integral to the Mexican economy, yet North American companies are vying for control of the very GMO seeds that Mexican law prohibits. NAFTA continues to wreak its havoc, Justin Aker Chacon stated, through massive corporate takeovers in Mexico by Walmart. You can find this information in his outstanding new book, NO ONE IS ILLEGAL.

For more information on the hearing and other speakers' words of wisdom and to join the movement, go to www.borderangels.org

Sources :: borderangels.org, :: sandiego.indymedia.org :: Migrant March II Update
:: Marcha Migrante II Headed Towards San Diego :: All People's Immigration Hearing was AMAZING! :: Marcha Migrante II: Border Caravan for Justice