Growing Bi-National Coalition of U.S. and Mexican Organizations to Trek Across U.S. to Give Visibility to Victims of Failed Drug War on Both Sides of the Border
Mexico City, D.F.–As the number of innocent people who continue to die in Mexico because of the failed war on drugs rises to 71,000 , the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity (MPJD) has announced that it will lead a month-long “Caravan for Peace” across the United States to draw attention to the misguided drug war policies that have caused a crisis of violence and impunity. The MPJD and dozens of organizations from both countries are joining together to coordinate the Caravan, a more than 6,000-mile journey, leaving San Diego, CA, on August 12th and arriving in Washington, D.C., on September 10th.
Led by victims of the drug war on both sides of the border, the Caravan aims to inspire U.S. civil society to stem the flow of weapons into Mexico, to support humane and health-oriented alternatives to drug prohibition, and to demand more effective, non-violent security strategies. Bi-national respect for justice and human dignity lies at the heart of this initiative, making humane immigration policy another central concern of the Caravan.
On Monday June 18th, organizers will hold a live press conference in Mexico City (and subsequent international teleconference) to formally announce “#CaravanaUSA”. The conferences will feature speakers from Mexico and the U.S., including renowned mexican poet Javier Sicilia, other family members of victims of the violence, and a diverse group of supporters from across the U.S. that includes the National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC), Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), Border Angels, Latin America Working Group (LAWG), Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Presente.org, Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and Global Exchange.
What: Press Conference and Teleconference to announce launch of US/Mexico Peace Caravan
When: Monday, June 18th·
10 AM (Mexico City)/ 11 AM (Eastern Time): Live Press Conference (in Spanish)·
12 PM (Mexico City) / 1 PM (Eastern Time): Teleconference (in English)
Where: Museo Memoria y Tolerancia, Plaza Juárez | Centro Histórico
In front of the Hemiciclo a Juárez monument at La Alameda Park, and next to the SecretarÃa de Relaciones Exteriores (Foreign Affairs Secretary).
