Memorial Action on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge

Last Saturday a group of us gathered on BANWR, the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, where members of No More Deaths have recently been ticketed for "littering" (leaving sealed jugs of pure clean water in an area where people die for lack of water). We had a memorial for the 206 men, women, and children who died crossing the desert in the Tucson Sector this past year.

We created an altar, held hands and sang "We Shall Overcome," prayed together, and held in our hearts and thoughts the people who lost their lives over this past year because of U.S. border policy.

¿Cuantos mas? How many more?

We left water on a trail that is actively used by people traveling north. A few days later, a few folks returned to check on the spot and found that each of the 25 gallons of water we left had been systematically slashed and destroyed.

For the right to live in peace

[Translation by Reverend Delle McCormick of poem from CAMYN, Altar-Sonora, MX]

By: Orthón Perez, summer of 2004

In memory of those who went to look for a better life, yet only encountered death . . .
In memory of those who risked everything and lost everything. . .
Of those who went with hope in their eyes and challenge in their souls . . .
The sun burned them and the desert devoured them.
And the dust erased their names and faces.
In memory of those who never returned . . .
We offer these flowers and say with the deepest respect . . .
Your thirst is our thirst,
Your hunger is our hunger,
Your pain is our pain,
Your anguish, bitterness, and agony
Are also ours.

We are a cry for justice that no one would ever have to leave their land,
their beliefs,
their dead,
their children,
their parents,
their family,
their roots,
their culture,
their identity.

From out of the silence comes a voice that speaks. . .
So that no one will ever have to look for their dream in other lands,
So that no one would ever have to go to the desert and be consumed by loneliness.
A voice in the desert cries out . . .

Education for all!
Opportunity for all!
Jobs for all!
Bread for all!
Freedom for all!
Justice for all!

We are a voice that will not be lost on the desert . . .
That insists that the nation give equal opportunity to a dignified and fruitful life to all its children.

The Amazing Clare and Josephine

Clare the ballerina.

Miss Jo.

Clare the intent book-lover.

Josephine living on the edge.

More of the Farm at Thanksgiving

The Farm at Thanksgiving