The Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity is the first bi-national, independent, non-partisan, and non-violent initiative against organized crime, money laundering, HSCB, Citibank Bank and other greedy financial institutions. They are equally responsible for the bloodshed caused by the drug lords and the corrupt Mexican government serving them. This conflict has caused the deaths of 60,000 people, with the US government-supported Mexican administration complicit in the violence. It is a movement to stop the gun violence and the prohibition on drugs–so that the problem can be addressed as a public health problem instead of a national security problem. Headed by Poet Javier Sicilia, whose son was murdered, this 100-people Caravan is formed mostly by victims of the drug war and just crossed the border, arriving in LA. Here is the English version of Sicilia's statement, made in Los Angeles.
We have reached, as (Bob) Dylan says (in "Not Dark Yet"), the "bottom of a world full of lies" underneath war, especially when it comes to such an absurd war as the one against drugs.
Mexican Poet Javier Sicilia on Democracy Now! On the Caravan in Phoenix, Javier Sicilia asks Sheriff Joe Arpiao to "be more human" (in Spanish only). You can also help by telling your fellow Occupiers in the cities where the caravan will stop in its one-month ride to end up protest in front of the White House. This Saturday 18th they will be protesting in Alburqueque, on Sunday 19th in Santa Fe, headed to San Antonio, Austin, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland. The caravan then heads to NYC! Arriving here in September 6th! If some of you can welcome and march with them with OWS signs at 6PM AT 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, it will be great support to the peace riders!! There will be a vigil and a march.
Here is the itenerary for the Caravan's visit to New York.
Thursday, September 6th
- 6 pm – 7 pm Dinner for Peace Riders have dinner, Assembly Hall Riverside Church (490 Riverside Drive)
- 7 pm – 7:15 PUBLIC EVENT STARTS – Key Speech (Javier Sicilia) 7:15pm – 8 pm Testimonies by victims of the organized crime 8 pm – THE VIGIL-MARCH (LIKE A PROCESSION) STARTS with candles, from Riverside Church to Santa Cecilia Parish (120 East 106th St).
- 9:30 pm – Arrival at Santa Cecilia Parish. Closing speech with Father of the Parish.
- 10 pm – End of the event
Friday, September 7th
- 10:15 – 11 am Outside City Hall – drawing signs and chanting
- 11 am – Press conference at City Hall stairs where Sicilia will tell us the results of the meeting with Bloomberg
- 1 pm – Brown bag lunch in Liberty Square with OWS. Testimonies from people on the Caravan will be given.
- 6:30 – Screening and panel discussion at Roshansky Auditorium, CUNY Graduate Center (365 5th Avenue).