Javier Sicilia, the poet who led massive protests against the Mexican government’s drug war brings his crusade to the U.S. on August 12.
The “Caravan For Peace” will start at Border Field State Park in San Diego. The group will head to several locations in the city before heading north to Los Angeles on August 13. Along the way will be stops in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Cruces and San Antonio.
Sicilia's son was one of the estimated 48,000 killed in Mexico’s ongoing drug war.
The renowned artist decided to turn his grief into a movement that saw tens of thousands of people march across the country. Now Sicilia brings his campaign to the U.S. and plans to end it in Washington D.C. next month.
In an open letter, Sicilia states his goals:
This initiative seeks to promote dialogue with American civil society and its government regarding the following themes: the need to stop gun trafficking; the need to debate alternatives to drug prohibition; the need for better tools to combat money laundering; and the need to promote bilateral cooperation in human rights and human security in two priority areas: promotion of civil society and safety, as well as protection and safety for migrants.
The Fronteras Desk will be live tweeting from the start of the caravan beginning around noon on August 12.
