Report from Tuscon - Borderlinks
Just found out that the Mexico group we have been working with in Tuscon has an open internet connection - so, I'm filing a quick report from the field. Thankfully, no illness or injuries to report. It's Friday now, and our journey is almost over, but the group from Bridgeport has changed in many ways.
While we were in Mexico (Monday - Thursday), our group received some frontline exposure to the economic and social inequities that exist between the United States and Mexico - issues that are exacerbated by NAFTA and our militarisation of the border in urban areas. Due to our international free trade policy with Mexico, many farmers have been forced from their lands and pushed north to seek work in the U.S. Sadly, our government has opted to lock down the major ports of entry with a wall (similar to Berlin) - which has forced migrants to seek crossing in hazardous desert areas. Rather than curb illegal immigration, this blockade (and our trade policy) has resulted in a dramatic rise of migrant deaths over the past few years....with no end in sight.
Our experience down south has been a real eye-opener, and will hopefully move people to share these realities with the folks back home - and their elected officials. To do anything else would be wasting a valuable experience.
When I get back home on Sunday, I'll add more to this...
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VISUAL - The Incredibles
AUDIO - Martian Time Slip by P.K.Dick (audiobook)
EVENT - Yaqui Easter Ceremony (Tuscon, AZ)
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While we were in Mexico (Monday - Thursday), our group received some frontline exposure to the economic and social inequities that exist between the United States and Mexico - issues that are exacerbated by NAFTA and our militarisation of the border in urban areas. Due to our international free trade policy with Mexico, many farmers have been forced from their lands and pushed north to seek work in the U.S. Sadly, our government has opted to lock down the major ports of entry with a wall (similar to Berlin) - which has forced migrants to seek crossing in hazardous desert areas. Rather than curb illegal immigration, this blockade (and our trade policy) has resulted in a dramatic rise of migrant deaths over the past few years....with no end in sight.
Our experience down south has been a real eye-opener, and will hopefully move people to share these realities with the folks back home - and their elected officials. To do anything else would be wasting a valuable experience.
When I get back home on Sunday, I'll add more to this...
-------------------------------------
VISUAL - The Incredibles
AUDIO - Martian Time Slip by P.K.Dick (audiobook)
EVENT - Yaqui Easter Ceremony (Tuscon, AZ)
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