|
Smedley D. Butler Brigade member Bruce Macdonald has just returned from Mexico with an urgent appeal for action. Here is the background story. Like Cindy Sheehan, Mexican poet and peace activist, Javier Sicilia, lost his son, Juan Francisco, in an undeclared, unconstitutional, unjust war, the “war on drugs,” in which more than 40,000 people have died. Juan Francisco, like many others, was an innocent victim. This carnage would not be possible without the support, political and financial, of the U.S. Supplying the cartels with their principle market for drugs and easy purchase of arms with laundered money, the U.S. has been more a part of the problem than the solution. Javier Sicilia, again like Cindy Sheehan, chose to go public with his grief and anger. He founded a peace and justice network and organized a massive demonstration in Mexico City on May 8 where hundreds of thousands of people joined him in demanding that the government change its failed war policy and reform corrupt political institutions. The network then organized a peace caravan which is now traveling through northern Mexico, the area of the country most affected by drug violence. Thursday, June 9, they arrive in Ciudad Juarez, the most dangerous city in the world. Friday, June 10, there will be an historic signing of a citizens’ pact, to be presented to the government later this month, demanding institutional reforms and changes in drug war policy. If the government refuses to sign, the network has promised boycotts, national strikes and acts of civil disobedience. A crucial element in the success of this movement is the collaboration and support of U.S. peace and justice organizations. On Saturday, June 11, at 11:00 AM, in San Jacinto Plaza, El Paso, Texas, there will be a demonstration of U.S. groups who support Sicilia’s movement to end the bloody war in Mexico. Bruce is asking activists, especially those in Texas and New Mexico, to attend the demonstration. More background information can be found, in English and Spanish, at the movement’s web site, www.redporlapazyjusticia.org, and also at www.mexicosolidarity.org and www.narconews.com.
|