The People's Record

Caravan for Peace demands an end to drug war violence

A mix of activists and families of drug war violence victims demanding justice for the disappeared and murdered drew the Caravan for Peace’s tour to a close the evening of Sept. 12 in Washington, D.C.

The 6,000 mile, 27-day route brought the stories of family members living in the ruthless drug war’s grasp to national attention, forcing the US to take accountability for its role in the violence. The project began when founder and poet Javier Sicilia’s son and his friends were murdered in March 2011.

Before marching to Malcolm X park, victims of gun violence spoke out in solidarity with the family members grieving. Mothers held recent photographs of their children who have been mutilated, burned with acid, beheaded, raped or who have disappeared without a trace.

Local social justice advocates walked to the Mexican consulate alongside Caravan members, as they silently tied white ribbons on the outside gate in remembrance of all victims of violence in Mexico.

Not only has the drug war failed in its attempt to reduce drug demand and end drug cartel violence, each year becomes deadlier and deadlier for Mexico.

• In 2010, there were 11,583 drug-related murders in Mexico.
• 70 percent of guns confiscated authorities are traced to the US within the past three years.
• The US National Drug Intelligence Center reported in 2008 that between $19 billion and $30 billion had poured into Mexico from the US.
• 3,103 lives were taken by violence in Ciudad, Juarez in 2010 alone.
• Since 2006, nearly 38,000 have been murdered and tens of thousands more have disappeared.

-G. Razo

(Source: thepeoplesrecord.com)