Once again the annual Migrant Trail Walk made its way through the desert. The Migrant Trail Walk is a 75 mile walk from Sásabe, Sonora, MX to Tucson, AZ, USA.The mission of the walk states, "The precarious reality of our borderlands calls us to walk. We are a spiritually diverse, multi-cultural group who walk together on a journey of peace to remember people, friends and family who have died, others who have crossed, and people who continue to come. We bear witness to the tragedy of death and of the inhumanity in our midst. Lastly, we walk as a community, in defiance of the borders that attempt to divide us, committed to working together for the human dignity of all peoples."
The real story here is that the deaths continue, year after year, and actually are increasing. 2009-2010 was the second deadliest year (282 bodies recovered), behind 2004-2005 (253 bodies recovered). As you scroll the list of recovered remains for 2009-2010 you will undoubtedly notice the overwhelming presence of unknown http://www.derechoshumanosaz.net/projects/arizona-recovered-bodies-project/. This is one of the realities desert. The conditions are harsh, get cold and extremely hot. Immigration policy changes have not become a reality and border security policy has created more dangerous and treacherous paths for migrants. Comprehensive changes are necessary. Human rights and dignity for all must be at the core of these policies.
More coverage of the walk can be found at:
http://www.fox11az.com/news/local/Migrant-Trail-Walk-comes-to-close-in-South-Tucson-123250088.html
http://tucsoncitizen.com/three-sonorans/2011/05/27/75-mile-trek-through-sonoran-desert-brings-attention-to-migrant-deaths/
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