let's start with the good news

The procession and mass went off without a hitch. It made me feel so good as we marched down the streets of downtown El Paso all together. Together we walked--guests, volunteers, community members, complete strangers--and we were all calling for the same thing: a way to end the increasing hostility and violence directed against the immigrant. We highlighted policies that divide families, push migrants into the desert or into the arms of human traffickers where many perish, and spawn legislation like Arizona's SB1070.




Along the way we had two pauses: at the first pause, which occurred by the intersection of Father Rahm Ave. and El Paso St., Benjamin Saenz read a reflection focused on actual lives lost along the border (both migrant and border patrol).


At the second pause, which occurred at the railroad tracks on Santa Fe St., Sister Ida Berresheim read a second reflection (one that our director Ruben Garcia had me compose) focused on the specific policies that have led to escalating violence and hostility against the immigrant.


The Mass was beautiful and the homily(sermon) that Father Arturo Banuelas gave was excellent. Arturo called EVERYONE out. I asked him for a transcript of his speech, but he told me all he had were bullet notes (which he gave me on the spot)...they will be forthcoming, along with the readings from the procession. Despite the beauty and message of the Mass, it was definitely the procession that spoke the most to me.


The traditional Mexican musical drum and dance group Los Matachines led the procession. They could be heard from blocks away, and as we processed down the streets of Segundo Barrio, people came out of the homes and stores to watch.




As we walked I saw so many familiar faces from my time here in El Paso. I saw guests, friends of Annunciation House, and many people with whom I had worked and coordinated to make the event happen. The faces of the guests there--men, women, and children-- were the ones that meant the most to me though. We were doing this for them.


It was incredible to see Santa Fe St. completely shut down. The four-lane road is a major artery for the city, and one block past where we stopped our procession, the road turns into Cesar Chavez Border Highway. We marched in the two empty right-hand lanes, while traffic in the left two lanes sat frozen. As we walked down Santa Fe St. I remember seeing a young woman climb on top of bus that was being towed that was sitting still in the left lane so that she could get a better look at the procession. It made me really happy.


In terms of numbers, we certainly could have fit more people, but the number that we did have was effective and felt strong. I'd estimate that we had around 200-300 people. I had hope for more, but those who were with us were very passionate. There was a lot of media there, and I know for certain we were the first story on the local news here. Ruben got interviewed many times, and I know that at least one of them was for a national news source in California. Who knows what will come of it, but we shall see. I hope that it won't be eclipsed by other news.

HERE is one fairly decent clip from local news about the event. The main story begins at 1:30
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Speaking of other news, I read today that last night there was a car bomb in Juarez that killed three people: two police officers and one paramedic.

The federal Public Safety Department said the attack was apparently retaliation by the La Linea drug gang for the arrest of one its top leaders, Jesus Acosta Guerrero, earlier in the day. Acosta Guerrero is supposedly responsible for at least 25 executions and attacks on police.

It seems that there are at least some non-corrupt police in Juarez, since Acosta Guerrero was arrested in the first place, but who knows how long that will last, given the apparent consequences...