The Good Egyptions head towards Juarez & El Paso

Javier, at the start of his latest march in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY – Javier Sicilia is heading to Ciudad Juárez, according to the El Paso Times. Sicilia, a renowned Mexican Poet and activist caught headlines when he led a massive protest against the violence and President Felipe Calderón’s military campaign after his son Juan was murdered in Cuernavaca, Morelos.

Previously we reported on the last march [here and here], and will continue to on an on-going basis as to keep you up-to-date, as much as possible.

The last march spurned out tens of thousands of people, though that number depends on what you read. The Los Angeles Times reports it at 90,000 culminated at La Plaza in Mexico City on March 8th, those numbers according to Mexico City Police but states that other sources doubles that figure.

Whatever the number, it is clear that Sicilia is now determined more than ever to make this a national priority. The latest march started as of today, and will head right through to the 11^th, with major stops in Juárez and El Paso, Texas. He’s also looking beyond the violence too, an entire re-founding of the state, something he is calling a ‘peaceful revolution’.

According to the Los Angeles times, ‘Though short on specifics, Sicilia said the movement is looking beyond the issue of violence by advocating an overhaul of Mexico’s graft-laden political system across party lines. Their goal, he said, is a nation where residents trust police enough to report crimes, wrongdoers are punished and politicians pay heed to constituents.’

What’s interesting about this march is that it highlights the growing discontent amongst Mexico’s population, though it would be interesting to see who are attending, as there are many people in Mexico who believe the ‘war’ is not really a war, but a minor problem.

However, since the majority of the violence does take place up in the North, there is an expectation this national march will mean a bigger turn out which would generally mean far extended coverage, though it’s hard to see at this point if it will have any effect on how the Government are currently driving their current campaign. Sicilia plans to speak to the communities he travels through, with events being planned in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso.

Calderón is a Conservative, and believes that they must continue the current war on DTOs, because they believe it is the only way. However, their campaign is dependent on public support, and with further national protests being announced all over the country and outside of Mexico, pressure on Calderón will continue to rise, because as staunchly as he defends his war on the drug trafficking organisations, the people in the streets march with just as much unwavering determination to end the violence and the suffering.

Featured photo is courtesy of  the Seattle PE.

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