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Human Rights Movement Marches Through the Streets of Nogales

By J.D. Wallace, News 13 Reporter

posted 5/30/04

A steady drumbeat sounded through the streets ofNogales to remember thousands who have died in the past decade trying to cross the border into the United States.

"I think I can make a difference,” said Border Links volunteer Jonathan Shapiro.  “I think I can raise awareness in general, and the more people are aware, the more likely things are to change."

A variety of human rights groups all gathered in the movement No Mas Muertes, which means “no more deaths,” and hung as many as 600 crosses on the Mexico side of the border, each to remember an immigrant who died.  One group, Derechos Humanos, says U.S. law must change to give less reason for people to risk their lives crossing the border.

"Focus on what affects our policies, militarizing the border, U.S. Border policies, economic policies, how these things have affected people," said Kat Rodriguez, coordinating organizer for Derechos Humanos.

But others in No Mas Muertes say immigrants should be discouraged from trying to cross the border, and those who are returned to Mexico need help getting back to their home towns.

"In the meantime, while they're here, to just provide them some food, so they can just make it to their homes, and try to raise awareness to them also, to not to try it again, to reconsider it, because of all the risks," said Jose Soto with No Mas Muertes.

While opinions differ on how to cut down on immigrant deaths, it's a goal shared by everyone in No Mas Muertes, and they all agree that to reach it, they must work together.

"This is a very diverse group that is trying to make a difference and I'm very confident that it will," Soto said.

"I wouldn't say it's differences in any sense,” Rodriguez said.  “We've come together and worked together incredibly well."

As summer draws near, No Mas Muertes faces quite a challenge.

"(The purpose is) cutting down on deaths,” Shapiro said.  “It's maybe unrealistic to say we'll stop each and every one, but as many as we possibly can."

It's a movement that has its work cut out for it, as the steady drumbeat of people risking their lives to cross the border continues.