CPTnet
31 August 2005

ARIZONA/SONORA: CPTers fast in the desert

On Wednesday, 24
August 2005, CPT Arizona began a three-day fast in the Sonoran Desert on the
U.S./Mexico border. CPTers chose for their fasting site the eight-foot-high
steel wall that the U.S. government is constructing as a means to help
control migration. Earlier in the summer, the Arizona team had painted
crosses on the wall at this location to commemorate recent migrant deaths in
Cochise County, Arizona.

In addition to CPTers, local partner organizations participated
in parts of the fast and some of the worship services held three times each
day. Worship included songs, stories, prayers and readings. Those in
attendance used a rubber mallet to pound on the wall in symbolism of the
absurd border policies and the 229 deaths in Arizona this past fiscal year.
Participants also re-painted crosses (since the border patrol had painted
over the others several times) in memory of local migrant deaths.

CPTers shared in some meaningful, spontaneous events as well.
Several border patrol officers stopped to talk about problems and concerns
related to migrant deaths--which promoted greater understanding for all
sides of the border issues debate. On the first evening of the event, CPTers
discovered and assisted a woman whose traveling companions had abandoned her
in the desert. CPTers also shared water with other travelers who needed a
respite from the desert heat.

Although food was high on the priority list as Friday evening
rolled around, participants in the fast expressed a sense of gratitude for
meaningful times of silence, solidarity and sharing.