CPTnet
May 6, 2004
CHICAGO/TORONTO: CPT to set up project at, host delegations to
Arizona/Mexico border
Last summer in southern Arizona at least 210 migrants lost their lives as
they attempted to cross the US/Mexico border region. Realizing that past
efforts to prevent this loss of life have been inadequate, a new coalition
of humanitarian and human rights groups has formed under the name "NO MORE
DEATHS" to protect life in the border region this summer and to promote
humane and sustainable immigration policies. NO MORE DEATHS has invited
CPT to place a team of four in or near Douglas, Arizona to lead one of
several NO MORE DEATHS desert camps and to establish contacts with area
activists, churches, Border Patrol, ranchers and vigilantes. In addition,
CPTers will assist with orientation/training of NO MORE DEATHS volunteers
for all camps.
The camps will be set up for for migrant assistance in the desert during the
hottest and most dangerous months: June through September.
Douglas residents refer to the area as "a militarized zone" where
constitutional rights may not apply to residents They cite reports of
Border Patrol agents marching people down the road at gunpoint and harassing
the town's children. The discretionary power in the hands of the Border
Patrol creates a climate of fear and corruption which causes people to fear
lodging complaints. In addition, vigilante groups lease land adjoining the
border west of Douglas and have beaten migrants and held people at gunpoint.
Rumors of vigilantes killing migrants circulate in the area.
The team will host three one-week CPT delegations throughout the first
two-month period of the projects: May 27- June 5, 2004; June 26-July 3,
2004; and July 24-31, 2004. People interested in applying should contact
CPT: PO Box 6508, Chicago, IL 60680; phone 773-277-0253; fax 773-277-0291;
e-mail Claire Evans guest.758027@MennoLink.org, or see CPT's website at:
http://www.cpt.org. (Click on "Delegations" on the left. Go to the bottom of
that page for instructions on downloading the form. Please include a
summary of your experience as requested, as well as the 2-page form. )
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Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative of the historic peace churches
(Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and Quakers) with support and
membership from a range of Catholic and Protestant denominations.
Supporting violence-reduction efforts around the world is its mandate.
Contact CPT, POB 6508 Chicago, IL 60680; Telephone: 773-277-0253 Fax:
773-277-0291; e-mail: guest.903627@MennoLink.org.
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