Michigan Peace Team: Juarez, Mexico

Democracy Now! Reports: US Encouraged Gun Sales to Mexican Cartels

2011-06-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Michigan Peace Team members following the situation and work for peace in Juarez are encouraged to read, watch or listen to the latest report from Democracy Now! A summary follows, with more information and coverage in this post, which is also available at: Democracy Now!: Watch/Listen/Read

From the Democracy Now! Coverage:

New Report: U.S. Encouraged Gun Sales to Drug Cartels

70% of Seized Mexico Guns Are from U.S.

Some 70 percent of guns seized in Mexico from 2009 to 2010 came from the United States, according to a new report from three U.S. senators. The report finds Mexican drug cartels are arming themselves with U.S. military-style weapons and urges a strengthening of U.S. regulations to stem the flow of guns to Mexico. It comes as lawmakers are holding hearings into a once-secret government plan to encourage U.S. gun shops to sell thousands of guns to middlemen for Mexican drug cartels. We speak to David Heath at the Center for Public Integrity.

Watch/Listen/Read more on the Democracy Now! website.

Police Raid Human Rights Center in Juarez, MPT Continues Support Work

2011-06-09T15:11:00.001-07:00

MPT holds our friends in Juarez in our hearts this week (as ever) and encourages our members to follow the conflict in Juarez. MPT was shocked and dismayed to hear that earlier this week Federal Police forces in Juarez broke into the Center For Human Rights Paso Del Norte. The Center reports that there was significant property damage when 5 armed and uniformed police men broke into the Center on Monday, June 6th at approximately 8:00pm local time. So far, the Center is not sure the reason for the raid, nor what the Police hoped to accomplish by destroying property. Please watch www.mptinjuarez.blogspot.com for updates as we hear more.

As you may know, MPT has been working with the Center and other friends in Juarez to help promote nonviolence and awareness for over two years. We have sent two Peace Teams to Juarez. After many months of discussion and deliberation on this matter, MPT has decided will not be sending Peace Teams to work on-site in Juarez in the immediate future due to the nature of the violence and the high degree of risk. We cannot thank enough those who have been involved in our program and Teams to Juarez, including Peace Team members and Friends on the grouns in Jaurez-- who all accomplished amazing nonviolence work despite the high level of violence and risk.

MPT does plan to continue awareness and support work around Juarez to support our sister and brothers there; including, possibly virtual accompaniment and other options. We will share more information as we explore the best ways to support the people of Juarez and movement for nonviolence on the ground.

One such action on the part of MPT was taken at the end of May, when we signed on to support to Coalition of Mayors Against Illegal Guns as they sent a message to President Obama asking him to take action on a proposed measure to stop the trafficing of illegal guns to Mexico. As the Coalition put it,

"90% of guns recovered and traced at Mexican crime scenes have come from U.S. gun dealers. Ninety Percent. And violence from the Mexican cartel wars is spilling back over the border into the United States. Right now, the Obama Administration is taking public comments on a new rule that will allow the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to require licensed dealers to report whenever a person buys multiple AK-47s and other assault rifles along the U.S.-Mexico border."

MPT signed on when we heard about this measure just before the deadlien for public comment. We hope to share such calls to action with you, our members, when future opportunities to take action arise.

In peace,

Nicole L. Rohrkemper
International Team Deployment Coordinator
Michigan Peace Team

(586) 419-1070 (direct line)
NicoleR. MPT@gmail.com

Thank You: Juarez Fast and Letters

2011-03-10T14:42:00.000-08:00

A Citizen Fast and Reflection: Stop the War...No More Blood! A Journey to Justice.
By Julie Slowik, IHM

We are deeply grateful to you who joined in fast and prayer for justice and peace in Juarez. Your presence in spirit along with so many others was deeply felt. We received 1,800 letters of solidarity from around the world.

Overcoming fear, some fifty groups and organizations among whom were national and international representatives gathered in downtown Juarez on January 29 and 30, 2011. During the event at the Monument some of the group journeyed in caravans to the U.S./Mexico fenced border, joining with a large group from El Paso, Texas. Though divided physically, all were united in one voice in the demand for justice. In a beautiful gesture, hands from both sides linked together through the fence in solidarity.

Late Saturday afternoon groups journeyed to the site of last year's youth massacre, where families and friends had placed pictures of their beloved children on posters. There the Bishop of Juarez celebrated the liturgy. Saturday night at the Monument in a moving ceremony we, with lighted luminaries, formed the word "justicia" along the monument steps. The night was filled with cultural expressions of song, poetry readings, theater, and music. On Sunday morning, small groups listened and gave comfort to mothers who begged for justice for the disappearance or death by violence of their sons and daughters. An ecumenical service closed the fast.

We left interiorly strengthened with a deep sense of harmony among the many organizations who coordinated the week-end. A political statement had been declared by our united presence. We go forth with courage to continue the struggle.

Juarez Fast: Heartening Solidarity (Photos from Juarez)

2011-02-04T10:17:00.000-08:00

The fast organized by the community of Juarez (and solidarity actions around the world) were a wonderful success this past weekend. Friends of MPT in Juarez shared these photos of the event.

Participants in the fast 'vigil' stayed out all night in Juarez, braving the after-dark dangers of the city together, and very cold weather (especially cold for Mexico). Friends report that the turn out was very satisfying.

Best of all, participants say the event brought real hope to those in the city. Both the local turnout, and the solidarity actions by those around the world gave people a feeling that not only do people near and far know and care about the conflict in and violence in the city, but there could be real change in the future.

Thanks for reading, and thank you to the MPT members and friends who participated in the Solidarity Fast this past weekend (January 29/30, 2011).

Composed from eye-witness participation reports by MPT Friends

by Nicole Rohrkemper.

International Peace Teams Coordinator

Michigan Peace Team

www.michiganpeaceteam.org

Basic & Team Training Dates, Deadlines and More

2011-02-01T09:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a preview of the E-News; click here or below to read it in full resolution online!

Read the latest for those interested in following (or joining!) our teams: http://bit.ly/fXw08l.

Click the link above for training dates, application deadlines,

deployment timelines, budget information and more.

Questions? Contact NicoleR.MPT@gmail.com. Want this monthly newsletter delivered right to your inbox? Sign up here- no junk mail, we promise!

Call to Action: Fast and Letters Support Juarez

2011-01-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

All of us at Michigan Peace Team would like to share with our blog readers this invitation from the community in Juarez, Mexico (with a short introductory note from MPT's good friend and Team Contact in the area):

Dear Friends

I send you this letter (translated) of invitation from the Human Rights Center Paso del Norte, which is convoking a public fast and reflection on January 29 and 30, 2011 seeking truth, justice and the common good for Juarez. On these dates we commemorate the first anniversary of the massacre of 18 youth in the colonia Villas de Salvacar, and the world day of non-violence (which is the date Ghandi was assassinated).

Could we ask you in whatever way you can, to be in solidarity with us in spirit this day and a half?

Thanks so much.

Julie

From the Center for Human Rights Paso del Norte A.C.

Re: CITIZEN FAST AND REFLECTION

From Saturday January 29 at 9:00 a.m. to Sunday Jan. 30 at Noon

Place: Juarez Monument

Juarez City, Chihuahua, Mexico

STOP THE WAR.....NO MORE BLOOD

"Do you not know the fast acceptable to me? This is the fasting that I wish: breaking the chains of injustice, untying the thongs of the yoke, setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke" (Is. 58,6)

In Juarez City, Chihuahua, Mexico we are living in one of the greatest crisis in our history. From the perspective of human rights we are a city profoundly wounded, pained, and, and offended. For three years we have not been without blood. We are living a Way of the Cross which seems interminable. During this last year we have suffered more than 3000 painful assssination. They have assassinated children, youth, and adults. En 2010 more than 300 women have been assassinated.

From this profound pain and in the context of war, which the Mexican government declared, not in our name, against organized crime; and conscious that violence generates violence, we want to celebrate in fasting and reflection, the first anniversary of the massacre of 18 youth in the colonia Villas of Salvarcar.

Let us realize a day and a half of fasting as a non-violent and political action, of personal sacrifice and collective pressure, which seeks to build a space for reflection within each person and in society, in order to seek together truth, justice and the common good, thus in this way, to denounce and confront the authorities for the constant violation of human rights, for the climate of violence and insecurity, and for the lack of responsibility in procuring justice.

We want to offer our city, wounded by violence and injustice, a sign of solidarity and hope in order to rebuild our society with human values. We also want to pressure the three levels of governmental authorities to stop this war which continues profoundly hurting our city, and to denounce publicly that we do not have a Right of State (State of Justice) due to the high rate of impunity.

At this moment of anniversary and on the world day of non-violence (remembering the assassination of Ghandhi) we are inviting people and groups, of high human and moral quality - local, national, and international - to be in solidarity with us in participating on this day of fast and reflection, or of uniting together from different places and communities to this action on these same days.

We ask you also to send us letters of solidarity to the following email that they may be read during the days of fast. cdhpasodelnorte@hotmail.com

We are grateful to you beforehand for your generous response of solidarity.

CONVENERS

Centro de Derechos Humanos Paso del Norte, A.C.

Centro de Derechos Humanos del Migrante

Centro de Pastoral Obrera

Comite Medico Ciudadano

(Nine parishes also listed as conveners.)

P.S. We are also grateful if you could send letters of solidarity to national and international media as well as to the following addresses:

Lic. Felipe de Jesus Calderon Hinojosa

Presidente Constitucional de la Republica Mexicana

Residencia Official de los Pinos,

Casa Miguel Aleman,

Col. San Miguel Chapultepec, C.P. 11850, Mexico DF

felipe.calderon@presidencia.gob.mx

Lic. Cesar Horacio Duarte Jaquez

Gobernador del Estadode Chihuahua

E-mail: despachodelejecutivo@hotmail.com

Team Safe in Michigan

2010-12-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

The Fall 2010 MPT Peace Team arrived home in Mochigan moments ago, after their months of service in Juarez.

We at MPT want to thank the team and everyone who worked on this project for their invaluable contributions.

Please watch for updates and information about Juarez and the program here in coming months.

Happy Holidays,

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Teams Coordinator
Michigan Peace Team

Pain and Joy

2010-12-19T19:16:00.001-08:00

Maryann is a young educated woman who speaks fluent english and spanish. She lives in Juarez but is working in El-Paso. Maryann up until last May felt like life had given her everything she ever dreamed of; a good family, a good education, a wonderful husband, and after several doctors visits yes it was true she was going to be a mother. The doctor had told her that she could not conceive because she had a tumor, but miracle of miracles! She and her husband were elated and were going to break the news to the grandparents.

Robert, Maryann’s husband loved pizza and had some friends over to share the good news and some good food. Robert stepped out on an errand with two of his buddies. They passed a check point and were not signaled to stop when suddenly all hell broke loose. The federales (government soldiers) fired forty-five shots. Robert received 3 fatal shots. Tom in the back seat received 35 fatal shots, and the young man in the passenger seat was unharmed. When Maryann arrived on the scene she was told by the Federals that they failed to stop and that they were hit-men, Maryann asked them to show her the arms they were carrying, because it was her car that they were driving, and she knew there were no arms. They had no answers.

Maryann's heart was filled with so much hate, she swore she would never listen or obey a Federale. After the funeral and life getting back to some normalcy while she was driving to work she was stopped by a Federale, he demanded she step out of the car and she refused. He put a gun to her head and demanded her again to step out. Maryann asked him if he had children, then told him she was pregnant and that her baby would never see the face of her daddy because of Federales like him who had shot her husband. The Federale lowered his head, and put his gun away and told her he was sorry and to please leave.

The baby will be born soon; hopefully before MPT leaves Juarez. Maryann and a group of 23 persons have lived this course on mourning together. Now with the birth of Maryann’s baby comes the opportunity for new life and hope. Sharing advent with the people of Juarez has been a time of grace, especially for Maryann and her baby.

*names have been changed to protect identities*

Juarez continues mourning

2010-12-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

The family is a very jovial family that enjoys a good joke. They all work as mechanics using their own garage to put in long hours of work. Their oldest son was missing for several days. The family was worried. Someone found his body in a dumpster showing signs of assassination.
A humble, humble family had two young men assassinated outside of their side entrance where a group of young people liked to hang out. The sidedoor was always open. The young men were friends of the family. A few days later shots were heard and Mrs. wittnessed her husband and eldest son assassinated but this time inside the court-yard. The pain and fear of the rest of the family has caused them to put chains on their doors and live a very secluded life.

A young man named Hugo ran down to the shopping center to purchase a bag of chips before going to work. He was gunned down, right in front of the busy store. Hugo's eldery parents were notified and his mother, Arceli proclaimed in shock, "I don't know how I was able to move so fast!"
She arrived at the crime scene only to find her son dead in a pool of blood.

The funeral mass was over and many went to the cemetary to accompany the family. As they were leaving they met up with armend men who had the people that were accompaning another funeral down on the ground in rows!! They were filled with fear and tried to look for an alternative exit. They feared being part of a cross fire because the federales (goverment soldiers) came on the scene.
Many cannot even bury their dead in peace.
These are families that MPT continues to accompany.

*Names in this document have been changed in order to protect the families*

Declaration of the Rights of the child

2010-11-29T08:41:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, November 22nd Michigan Peace Team was invited to accompany a march and rally held in central park, close to the border. The rally was held in honor of the anniversary of the Declaration of Rights for the Child. Central park is in the middle of a very busy area, one side of the park is located in the business district, and the other with colonias and housing. In the morning we rode with the children on busses that went to the neighborhoods: Mexico 68, Granjas, Divison Del Norte and Primero de Mayo.

After arriving at the park the Centro de Derechos Humanos gave a presentation to the kids on their rights and the rules for the event. The children were asked to make signs and banners for the march that was going to take place. The banners varied but they were all directed towards the rights of children.

The Declaration of the Rights of the Child includes the following principles:

Principle 1
The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.

Principle 2
The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.

Principle 3
The child shall be entitled from his birth to a name and a nationality.

Principle 4
The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security. He shall be entitled to grow and develop in health; to this end, special care and protection shall be provided both to him and to his mother, including adequate pre-natal and post-natal care. The child shall have the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.

Principle 5
The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.

Principle 6
The child, for the full and harmonious development of his personality, needs love and understanding. He shall, wherever possible, grow up in the care and under the responsibility of his parents, and, in any case, in an atmosphere of affection and of moral and material security; a child of tender years shall not, save in exceptional circumstances, be separated from his mother. Society and the public authorities shall have the duty to extend particular care to children without a family and to those without adequate means of support. Payment of State and other assistance towards the maintenance of children of large families is desirable.

Principle 7
The child is entitled to receive education, which shall be free and compulsory, at least in the elementary stages. He shall be given an education, which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgement, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society.
The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents. The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.

Principle 8
The child shall in all circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief.

Principle 9
The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. He shall not be the subject of traffic, in any form. The child shall not be admitted to employment before an appropriate minimum age; he shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment, which would prejudice his health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development.

Principle 10
The child shall be protected from practices. which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men.

In Juarez, the rights of children, as well as others, are being ignored at an alarming rate. Children in Juarez face an impoverished, dangerous, and unsafe childhood from which the government can offer no protection. The violcence in Juarez is random, all sides are mixed, and no one really knows who they are fighting. The government can not offer protection because they don’t know who they are protecting and who they are fighting, or when the violence is going to happen. Some of our own neighbors our Narco’s, there is nothing we can do but say “Good morning” when we walk by. When its dark outside children must go inside, not because they have school in the morning but because parents do not want them to be taken or killed.

Every day Nina and I listen to gunfire, and know that someone’s life is being taken. Last night there was over 30 gunshots at around 4A.M in the listening proximity of our house. On Friday there was a gunfight wih around ten shots. The violence here never ends.

*NOTE* I will add pictures from the march later today.

Juarez is in mourning

2010-11-15T08:21:00.001-08:00

Juarez is in mourning. We all know that mourning is a process. For some healing comes after many tears, depression, questioning and pain. MPT has accompanied many families during this time of mourning.

One family had their 18 year old son, the youngest of 3 siblings, assassinated in front of their little store. The mother heard the shots and ran out only to see her son in a pool of blood. He was unrecognizable. She held him in her arms as he took his last breath.

The mother believes that death has cursed her. When she was very young her father died and being the oldest she had to help her mother raise her siblings. She said she worked very hard so that there would be food on the table. She married and when her children were very young her husband died and again she is left alone to raise the children. Now her 18 year old son was assassinated.

Another mother, with two precious little girls age 10 months and 2 years, was with her husband visiting a relative of his in the hospital. He received a call and proceeded to step out of the hospital where he was gunned down. Both the mother and the two year old need psychological help. She is from the southern part of Mexico and longs to be united with family, but paper work takes forever and meanwhile she has no income.

An 82 year old women witnessed the assassination of her nephew and her two sons; the the gunmen left saying that they had made a mistake! Her story is beyond words.

These are just a few of the families that MPT has accompanied. Last week at the grocery store while I was waiting in line a woman started a conversation with me after we both read the headlines of the paper: “Father comes home to find wife and children assassinated.” She proceeded to tell me that the 3 children she had with her had lost both their parents, they had been assassinated!

In this city of Juarez there have been 2,700 assassinations this year, October being the deadliest. The mourning that must be attended to will take months, years, it is said that there is no greater pain than the pain of a mother losing her child. How much more is the pain when the death is such a tragic death and so many parents have witnessed such deaths. Yes Juarez is in mourning.

Michigan Peace Team

2010-11-10T16:10:00.000-08:00

Who will play with the children?

2010-11-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

A group that has been working with the children in the colonias have as a goal to have the children play together and respect each other especially during this time of violence. Lately one of the instructors has had some very difficult situations to deal with. First there was word that a white van had picked up two girls and fear was running high as word got around, the children were sent home early. On another occasion the Federals were looking for someone and were knocking at different homes, close to where the children were playing, their masked faces,and machine guns created an atmosphere of terror. During another session a man appeared at the door and was ready to expose himself. On another occasion a thirteen year old that had been coming to the group and had received a death threat was actually picked up at 11:00 in the morning by armed men, the same instructor was meeting with a group of women when this occurred. The fear that is growing in this colonia by the children, women and now their instructor is causing people to just want to go into their homes and lock the doors. Those who can move away do so. Who will play with the Children? MPT has accompanied this group but will the group continue to meet?

Friend of MPT sequestered in Juarez

2010-11-08T12:27:00.000-08:00

A young man and I (Angie) have been working in the community and with youth since my arrival here in Juarez. A member of the center recommended that I talk to him because of his involvement with the youth and adolescents in the area. He, his wife, and I all enjoyed soccer and with that he started a local soccer tournament in the neighborhood of which we live. A few weeks back on the first day of the tournament, there was gunfire in the area, and a woman was killed. Last sunday after the tournmanet had ended he was kidnapped from his home. Those that kidnapped handled negotations for his release with the family, they requested 150,000 pesos for his ransom. The family paid his ransom and he has since fled from Juarez becuase he and his wife are in so much danger. This is so sad because he and his wife are some of the most amazing people I have met, and they were friends of mine. Finding out that he had been sequestered affected not only his family, the church, but myself and the community that he works in. The kids we work with are heartbroken, and confused because it makes no sense, serves no purpose, and there is nothing they can do about it, they just lost friends of their community. The gentleman and his wife rightfully and wisely are choosing not to return to Juarez, not even to gather their belongings from their house. A very large amount of people have been taken, secuestered, or murdered, it is the reality that people around here deal with every day.

MPT accompanies representatives of four colonias

2010-11-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

On Friday November 5th MPT accompanied representatives from four different colonias to the "Presidencia Municipal". Representatives from four colonias came together through the popular committees in order to obtain improvements for their colonias to be safer. At 1030 we met the group outside of the Presidencia where they strategized and the signed the papers dictating their requests and needs. The group is requesting the government pave their streets, clean the parks and fields, provide assistance for manual labor(i.e giving trucks for the colonia to be able to haul trash away), and many other requests the people believe to be necesssary. The group walked inside with Angie towards the front and Nina further back. 10 women, 1 gentleman, and 1 child served the secretary with the papers and asked that they be given to Teto. The sectetary gave the representatives a slip of paper with the number they should call to follow up about the issues and their requests. Overall this experience was very relaxed, and empowering for the people that we accompanied.

MPT accompanies Mass at the border

2010-11-04T08:26:00.000-07:00

The Mass at the border has become a tradition, hundreds of people come together to pray on November 2nd (all souls day) for those who have lost their lives trying to cross the border. It is a most unique set-up because we may be celebrating together yet we are separated by a 10 foot high fence. There are those who came from the diocese of Las Cruces,and from El Paso on the USA side and then all the people from Juarez on the Mexican side. Bishop Ricardo Ramirez started his homily speaking of the beauty of being together in the desert, and feeling the warmth of the rays of the sun,he said that in looking around we could see the fence that separated us but we could also see and feel the faith of the people and that united us. We could also see the names on white crosses symbolizing those who have lost their lives. Children participated holding white balloons then releasing them at the end of mass. This year there was also included all the victims that have lost their lives because of violence. We sang bi-lingual hymns and prayed as one. There was a prayerful festive atmosphere in spite of the border patrol being present. We are all one longing for peace.

Read the Lastest MPT Teams Newsletter on our Juarez Blog (Hint: Ticket Giveaway)

2010-10-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

If you're having trouble viewing this email, you may see it online.

MPT accompanies group of Children and Teens

2010-10-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night MPT accompanied a group with working youth and adolescents. At the beginning they discussed and made posters saying how they felt and what they thought about the recent murders of 14 women and children at a fiesta. They mentioned they were scared, it was bad, it wasn't right, and one girl said they killed my brother. Her 17 year old brother was assassinated as he sat outside of his house. Later in the night some kids practiced writing, others played with toys. Two girls came that do not usually attend the group; they were invited by one of the girls that assists the group. I along with others was outside of the house where kids were playing jump rope and talking. As we were talking I noticed two kids fighting, I interpositioned myself between them and asked them what the problem was. After coming to no resolution and them still wanting to fight, I tried to get them to talk with the leader of the classes. They refused and a young woman said "dont worry they won't fight anymore", I said okay, I hope your right. Ten minutes later another fight, the leader of the group came when I called for her and we got the two to calm down. As everyone was leaving a group of 6 or 7 started to walk towards their respective houses and one of the girls who had been in the previous fight, started to fight with another one of the girls from the group. I know the girl she started to fight with, and she and I have talked on many levels, I had never seen her be angry or fight with a single person. I interpositioned myself again, and walked her backwards away from the fight. The other girl kept trying to hit the girl that was with me and I ended up taking a punch in my shoulder. As I walked the girl away she clutched on to my arms like not only was she scared, but she was mad, and did not really know what to do. I talked to her and calmed her down, the woman who leads the group and I accompanied her and the kids to the hill where they would walk home just to ensure that no more fights happened. Later the woman who leads the group asked that the two girls not be invited back to the group unless they were willing to respect the rules. "This is a group for fun and education. If they want to come they can not fight or use bad language".

Overall the experience with this group was very nice, through talking with the kids I have gotten to know some of them, and they are great kids, they just live in a really rough part of Juarez. I asked them about school, what they wanted to be as an adult, what they thought about the recent murders. The kids are extremely mature for their age, and they understand the situation that is happening around them.

In Solidarity

2010-10-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

Every year the parish of Ste Anne's in Detroit have a theme for the altar they prepare for all souls day which is celebrated the second of November.They have dedicated the altar to the veterans, to all the victims in nine eleven etc. This year they will be in solidarity with the hundreds of families that have lost daughters in Juarez. The altar will be dedicated to the girls who's lives were ended at a young age and violently. The mystery of these dissapperance and tragic deaths continues today with no answers. A distraught, brave mother has started a group of mothers who suffer the same plight. Together they encourage each other,to work and seek justice. This is just one of the many painful realities that Juarez is living at this time.

MPT accompanies march for Medical Personnel

2010-10-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

On Friday October 22nd MPT accompanied a march for medical personnel who have been killed in Juarez due to the on going violence. The violence has been spreading through every part of daily life in mexico. Drug dealers and Cartels extort businesses, teachers, doctors, hospitals, families, groups working for human rights, employees of the government. There is no escape in Juarez from the cartels, there is no safe house, no justice system, no system of security for the people. unfortunately when a Cartel or Gang member puts a "hit" (ordered murder) out on someone, they expect the job to be finished and completed. Any victims of a shooting who are brought to the hospital, are now being killed along with doctors and nurses inside the hospital. Hundreds of people showed up in order to show support for those who have lost their lives, and those who are fighting for justice. Doctors, nurses, rescue workers, 32 organizations, and a few hundred people marched from a local shopping mall to a government building. Nina and I marched on opposite sides observing not only the number of police officers that were accompanying and guarding this protest, but the people who were involved in the march itself. We had a very high number of police officers accompanying the protest, I could not come to a reason as to why. The people were extremely calm, sad, and angry. Their anger was not directed as putting more people in pain but at finding a solution to the violence.

Let's Dance

2010-10-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

A group of women were so tired of hearing bad news and were tired of constantly being offered classes to analyze the reality that they said:’’ We need something to help us deal with living this painful reality. We need something to help us with all this stress. Some have had family members killed, some have had neighbors killed.”So after much persistence t hey were heard, and a workshop on free movement was offered. I accompanied them and we all had a most pleasant 3 hours of dancing to music that helped you just flow like water, music that helped you release tightness that is being held in your body, music that helped you imagine beauty surrounding you, we all danced and danced sometimes with our eyes open and other times looking into each other’s eyes. During the session we were all put into groups of five and given a piece of paper. We each had a chance to dance and those in your small group who observed you wrote five words about what they saw in your dance. We then used those words to write a poem. Many spoke of the peace they felt from the tension that they are living. One woman had to be taken to emergency that evening because the dance didn’t begin to heal the stress she is living in and was hospitalized at the brink of a stroke. I am amazed at the resiliency of women who have known so much pain and am most grateful to dance with them and being part of their healing process.

The pain in the reality

2010-10-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday was the first day of the soccer tourament that I am coordinating with a gentleman from the area. Our first game started with "Barcelona" Vs. "J.O Ladies", it was a great game and we all had fun. I am the referee for the games and I never expected them to take it so seriously, its not just a game here, it matters to them. Our first game concluded with Barcelona as the victor 3-2. As our second game started between "Manchester City" and "Argentina" everyone was in great spirits. Around 10 minutes into the game, We heard gunfire that was very close in proximity. The gunfire was on the street adjacent to the field where we were playing. During the gunfire, I felt like everything slowed down, but it was moving so fast. People were running trying to get their kids away, people yelling and screaming, driving away in cars. The soccer game completely stopped and all the kids ran to the corner of the field where you could see the situation that was taking place. The gentleman, his wife, and I were calling to the kids "Venganse! Venganse!"(all of you come here, Come here). The young man I work with finally went to the corner and physically moved the kids back. When we first arrived we asked the Centro "what should we do if we see or hear something happening?". Their response was very simple, "Turn your back or they will kill you too, they will kill you for even looking". A woman came over and said something to the young man I work with and he came over and told his wife and I to sit down against a wall, I am not sure what that women told him, but it was clear that we were in danger. As we were yelling for the kids, I just happened to get our safety phone call from Michigan Peace Team. Obviously this was not a good time, I asked her to cal back later. That phone call took the last of my phone minutes and so now not only was I in an unsafe, unplanned situation, but I had no way of calling Nina who was not with me. I have to admit that I felt a lot better becuase I had the young man, and his wife there with me. Around 5 minutes passed and parents came for their kids to get them home, people were still running and yelling. We found out that a man came to kill another man, He was walking with his wife and child. When he saw that they were coming for him, he ran away and his wife was left with their child. The man shot her 6 times instead, the child left unharmed physically. When it was safer I left with my affinity team in a car, they dropped me off at home.

The Violence here is very real, but the people that are left here to fight it are real as well. The fear is paralyzing to man. That woman was killed, for reasons unknown, but no reason given could justify the taking of a life.

A look of compassion

2010-10-08T11:13:00.000-07:00

During the week I go to 8:00 mass on most days. Last Wednesday as we were giving a ride to several senior citizens, we stopped for a red light. There was a young man selling papers and I looked at him with eyes of compassion and love. It was a brief encounter but a very heartfelt one for me. I thought about his struggle to make a living selling papers, about where he must live and if he even had family. The next morning as I walked to a woman’s circle in one of the colonias a woman commented that the paper boy on the corner had been assassinated at 4:00 in the afternoon on Wednesday. I couldn’t hold back the tears as I heard the news, why, how, my heart was filled with questions. So many are being assassinated and there are no answers as to why or who is responsible: just one more has died, three have been assassinated, five have been assassinated…and the pain of the families that receive the news how can they continue to face life? So many families choose to leave, so many poor families cannot leave. There are no answers and the violence continues to escalate. How Long, O Lord? How Long?

2011 Peace Teams: Deadlines for Application & Training plus News

2010-10-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Read this Edition in full!

Read the latest Teams Insider News in full Here.
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The pain in the reality

2010-10-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

Join us for the Next Team Training (Oct 22-24, 2010)

2010-10-01T13:31:00.000-07:00

Join us this month for an Advanced Training Retreat (October 22-24, 2010; more information and online registration at Idealist.org). Curious about the training? At the end of this posting is a list of some of the practice areas covered during the Retreat.

As you may know, in 2010 MPT worked with hundreds of local and national peace-minded folks to offer basic and advanced trainings, and to deploy Domestic and International Peace Teams. We had peace team members and volunteers from all across the United States. We also had international applicants, team members, and volunteers-- from Romania, France, Germany, and more. Our program in Juarez continues, and we are evaluating options for that program in 2011; in the meantime we are taking applications for both Juarez and Palestine for next year. We will continue our commitment to deploy teams quarterly to the West Bank.

We are need to confirm peace team members to start training this month, for deployment to Palestine in January 2011; and as always, we need veteran team members to serve as team anchors.

Whether you're considering an 2011/12 International Team to Palestine or Juarez (even if you're not sure)-- or if you aren't interested in a team, but want to practice and improve your nonviolence skills, this is the training weekend for you. If you want to continue your nonviolence training for your personal or professional development, this training is stand-alone. It's an amazing chance to further your own grounding in nonviolence, and learn more about nonviolent action in a team retreat setting.

For those who want the option of going on a team in January, February or March 2011, this training is required. If you plan to deploy later (or if plans change), this weekend intensive meets the requirement for your one of your two training retreats in preparation for any team in 2011 or 2012! If you are considering a team January through March 2011, you will also need to start the online/remote portion of your training, which starts as soon as possible this month. Contact NicoleR/MPT@gmail.com for details.

We encourage you to start on-site and remote training as soon as possible if you are considering an International Team in 2011/12; there is no obligation, and training is part of the process of mutual evaluation to decide if an MPT Team is the right fit for you!

Here are just some of the areas covered at our Advanced and International Trainings (in both retreats and remote/online training)...

Getting to know oneself (hopes and fears, relationship to money, goals and expectations for trip, how do you deal w/ stress/conflict etc.)

Getting to know the team and team building activities

Listening and Communication tools (active listening, I messages, CLARA)
Role Plays
Consensus decision making
Affinity Teams
Self Care (co-counseling, trauma, compassion fatigue, ritual, first aid etc.)

Power, Privilege and Oppression

Media and 'Telling the Story'

Who is MPT?
What are Peace Teams? What is nonviolent conflict resolution/third party nonviolent intervention? What is our role?
Nonviolence as a big picture, and What is nonviolence?
Location Specific Training @ second On-Site Retreat (background of conflict/brief history, cultural sensitivity, etc.) -- for International Team Applicants Only
Administrative Stuff, Forms, Tips and "nuts and bolts" info. (packing tips, MPT Forms, what we expect from you/what should you expect from us) -- for International Team Applicants Only

We hope you can join us! Please register online now or simply email or call me at the information below with any questions or concerns!

In Peace,

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Team Deployment Coordinator
Michigan Peace Team
(586) 419-1070 (direct line)

www.MichiganPeaceTeam.org

www.MPTinPalstine.blogspot.com
www.MPTinJuarez.blogspot.com
MPTenEspanol.blogspot.com

Learn How You can Join a Peace Team- FAQs at http://mptinpalestine.blogspot.com/p/faqs-for-potential-teamers.html.

Juarez children: witnesses of violence, future of peace

2010-09-30T07:38:00.000-07:00

Democracynow! interviews independent journalist Jean Friedman-Rudovsky, who journeyed to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico to investigate the impact of extreme violence on children. Her reports from the ground were published in Village Voice media: "Juarez children: Drugs, death, and fear."
Jean Friedman-Rudovsky witnessed immense suffering by children and their families who had experienced the violence first hand, but she also felt great hope from the people of Juarez, directed at their children. Locals are focusing peace efforts in bettering the lives of their children through giving them good daycare, education, extracurricular activities and overall emotional support.

Happy Endings

2010-09-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

My father always said; “No hay un mal de donde no salga un bien” There is nothing bad that happens from which something good can come. Last week a family that owned a small neighborhood store in one of the colonias and had lived in that colornia for many years, had their daughter kidnapped. The family was well known and loved. The family had to raise thousands of pesos if they wanted their daughter back!! One can only imagine the pain and desperation of this father who began to sell and borrow to have the ransom money. The neighbors gathered in solidarity and began to bring him little by little small savings, the money they had to pay their bills, the money they had saved for an emergency and a small miracle happened that with the help of all the neighbors this father was able to have the ransom money. When word was out that the daughter was to be returned, the neighbors began to pour out into the street, and there was such an outpouring of love and unity that no one could hold back the tears and joy. The street was filled with children, youth, the old all united as good neighbors to end a nightmare with embraces of welcome and so much love.
To hear the enthusiasm and gratefulness of the person who shared this story with me just filled me with gratitude for a happy ending. It also helped me apply my father’s wisdom, to every day happenings to life here in Juraez.

What are we celebrating?

2010-09-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Violence and drugs affect the city of Juarez in many ways, some bad, some for the better. When Nina and I wake up in the morning you see families walking their kids to school. The kids that are being walked are not just 5 or 6, they're 17 and 18 years old. The community and the family has become very close knit and important. People ask families "Why do you walk your young adults to school?, it wont stop them from taking your daughter or son. they will just kill or take you too", their response is "at least I will know, at least I will know what has happened to my son or daughter". Families eat together at the table, talk, listen, and love each other.
Last friday Nina and I went with members of the Center to church during their choir practice. Everyone was singing and having a great time, when a man walked in who I noticed was carrying a kitchen knife on him, in his belt strap. Nina and I were facing opposit directions and she only saw him but did not see the knife. One of the women we work very closely was sitting next to me and paid no attention to it. After dancing to the music for a minute, he left and went outside.
I told Nina about the knife, and asked that we close the door given that he was directly outside. members of the choir said "esta bien (hes fine)", I trust these women, so I said okay and kept an eye on his where abouts. When I looked outside again he was chasing another member with the knife, I told Nina and the woman who said it was fine, and again they brushed it off. Neighbors began to come outside and calm him down and talk to him even though he had a knife.
At this point, I was thoroughly taken back that no one was alarmed, so I asked them why they were not concerned. They told us that he was a member of the community who has been damaged by drugs and just got released from Jail. They said he used to be calm and cool but since his release has been afraid. The minister of the church we were at said that the man regularly helps him with jobs that he needs done, he just carries a knife because it makes him feel safer. His community, has taken it upon themselves to help support during his struggle with life of drugs, and what it has done to him. The community is so close here, even though many consider it to be divided. Our community, has realized the violence brings everyone together. No one is safer than someone else, so people watch out for each other.
Today marks the Bicentennial of freedom from spain for Mexico. The government in Juarez is not celebrating, but the people and chruches are. The government and many people have asked "What are we celebrating when the people here are feeling so much pain?". The people of Juarez have a right and a need to celebrate more than anyone. They are celebrating the love that has continued to strengthen the people of Mexico and their families. Celebrate to the fact that you reside, and live, and fight for this city even though many have left. Most of all, they are celebrating that they are Mexican, they love being Mexican, and nothing can change that.

Trying to understand and communicate what we see, hear, read, and learn

2010-09-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

11 September, 2010
Lansing, MI
For the past several weeks, I have been reading El Diario and the El Paso Times, two local papers that report on happenings in Ciudad Juarez. I am fluent in several languages, including those used by both papers. Yet, I know that even within my own native language of English, my fluency varies as I move from domain to domain.

For example, as a college student in the 1960s, I became proficient in the linguistic domains of demonstrations, as well as academics. My pedagogical domains developed over 20 years in classrooms. Living and working with Mexican and Central American migrant families in the Pacific Northwest, I improved my usage of a domain of Spanish pertinent to raising children under ever-changing conditions. Graduate studies in educational policy prepared me to use both languages at both national and international levels. None of these experiences, however, introduced me to the vocabulary of murder, terror, and despair I have been reading about in Juarez.

At the moment, MPT team members Angie and Nina are on the ground in Juarez, living and working with families there. Megan and I remain here in the States, continuing to raise money for the Peace Team and attempting to provide whatever support we can. We research on the internet; we draft grant applications; we continue to offer fair trade goods for sale. Through media in our home communities and this blog, Megan and I share what we learn from our research and what we learn from Angie & Nina during our weekly Skype conversations. Those connections allow us to strive to maintain and continue to develop as a team.

Last night Nina and Angie told us of the work they are beginning this week, making connections with mothers and children caught up in the violence of Juarez. Their words made me cry and also smile, thinking about how well they are serving the MPT mission of

seeking a just world grounded in nonviolence and respect for the sacred interconnectedness of all life.

I offer these word clouds created and edited from my newspaper readings from the first ten days of this month as my contribution in support of that work.

NOTE: If the images are too small for you to read, hold down Control & press + until you can see them clearly.

Created at http://www.wordle.net/

First Impressions

2010-09-08T20:24:00.000-07:00

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Sept. 8, 2010

When I was missioned in Peru. our town suffered several attacks from Sendero Luminoso, the terrorist group in Peru. I remember thinking and voicing “Shouldn’t we receive some training on how to be better peace makers and being non-violent?” We just took for granted that we were non-violent. I have learned that yes, there is much we can learn and it’s a life- long process!

When I was asked by Mary Ellen Gondeck if I was interested in being part of a peace team for Juarez, Mexico, I didn’t hesitate because I am of Mexican descent and it has always been my dream to minister in Mexico. I also always wanted to learn how to be a better peace-maker.

The training took place and now the reality of Juarez could paralyze you: the drug cartels are fighting for power, using the poor as their victims to do their dirty work. Extortions have forced families to abandon the city leaving: home, friends, and possesions, out of fear for their lives. Many young ladies have disappeared and their bodies then found in the desert. There is no work, and many live by selling goods on the street: brooms, soap, etc. (enough to eat for that day), So many youth cannot afford to study and can’t find work. The list can go on and on, but in the midst of all this pain and suffering, there are people with hope for a better tomorrow.

This past weekend we attended a workshop on the other side of town. Some attendees came from very poor areas. They had been given assignments to reflect on Juarez yesterday, Juarez today and Juarez in the future. The title of the workshop was Juarencitos a Defendernos (People of Juarez, let us defend ourselves). They love their city and know that hope and change will come from grassroots, not from the authorities.

To hear their stories and feel their pain has helped me understand the need for our solidarity with them at this time. One mother shared how her 16 year old daughter disappeared, Paloma was her only daughter. The family searched for about three weeks and, then, her body was found in the desert. She vowed in her pain that she would not stop until there was justice. This woman has started a group and is constantly being asked to accompany other mothers and family members to confront corrupt authority. Perhaps justice will never come, but brave women are not sitting back and allowing such crimes to go unnoticed, the way the authorities would like them to do.

I have met so many dedicated people working for a better tomorrow for their city, Oh how they love their city! They want to see gardens and trees grow and have beauty again surround their homes and city. They want to feel free to walk their streets

They look at Angie Mann - an 18 year old - and Sister Nina Rodriguez - a golden jubilarian (fifty years as a Sister of St. Joseph - and say, "When so many have left, you have chosen to come and live among us. You are a sign of peace and hope that God has not abandoned His people." They look at us in disbelief, but have welcomed us with so much love and gratitude.

Remembering the poem on the Footprints in the Sand, we realize -- Yes, God is carrying Juarez during these painful moments in their history, Their faith, love and pain will someday know the power of their efforts to build a life-giving city again.

In the Beginning

2010-09-03T11:52:00.001-07:00

Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

Juarez is a city of many different views given by many forms. The media has portrayed it as a city with constant drug warfare, malicious murders and kidnappings, and little love. When Nina and I arrived here in Juarez we were greeted with beautiful skies, wonderful people, and absolutely no danger. Julie took us to the Centro where we met some of the women that we would be working with for the next few months. The Centro is covered in pictures of love, and ideas of hope and a better future for Juarez. The women took us to our house where we will be staying for the next few months. A woman here in Juarez has graciously offered her space for us to use as our home. The houses here are different than in America. Our house is bright orange with a blue gate, like many of the houses here the colors are bright and many times do not match. According to people here, improvements to your home can get you into trouble with the gangs and mafia.
The neighborhoods here are divided into colonias; all of them have different styles, and reputations. The Colonia that we are staying in is safer than other Colonias. Women from the Centro took us walking on Wednesday night where we were surrounded by children playing in the streets, families walking to and from school, and people gathering to chat. Children here introduce themselves, kiss you on the cheek and ask a lot of questions, especially if you are from North America. We walked to a church where we attended a meeting and saw the presentation that Nicole has posted below. Members of the Centro are giving a presentation that represents Juarez yesterday, Juarez today, and what they foresee as the future of Juarez. They are fighting for their city and we as Michigan Peace Team members are being invited to stand with them in their struggle.

Today we are attending a conference at a university that promises to be absolutely amazing. Check out our next blog soon.

-Angie and Nina

Read MPT's Latest E-News Bulliten Online

2010-09-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

Click here to view the latest E-News online.

If you don't already receive it, visit our www.MichiganPeaceTeam.org and sign up for this newsletter-- only about 3 emails per month!

See the E-News this week for tons of Fall Events coming up at MPT -- September - December already on the schedule, Join Us!

Welcome to Juarez: Photos of the lovely Ciudad

2010-09-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

Fall Juarez Team Arrives Safely In-Country

2010-09-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce that the Fall Peace Team to Juarez, Mexico has arrived safely! They are getting settled in and meeting with local folks. This strong team will be in the field long-term, from September 1, 2010 to mid-December, 2010. A third team member will join the Team in a few weeks to complete the group.

Watch for blog entries posted soon directly from the field-- and leave your comments of support and encouragement for the team on their blogs!

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Peace Team Coordinator
MPT

MPT All-Teams Reunion Event, Sept 15, 2010

2010-09-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

to a Michigan Peace Team

"DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL"

PEACE TEAM REUNION

& NETWORKING PARTY

September 15th, 2010 - 7pm to 9pm

@ Affirmations of Ferndale MI

View this Event on Facebook to share the invite or RSVP Now! Help us invite your fellow team members, and let them know you'll meet them there.

MPT would like to invite everyone who has ever been on a Domestic or International Peace Team -- plus all those who have supported teams, and anyone interested in going on a future team-- to this very special event.

Who: Current & Former Team Members (all 16 years!)

and their Supporters, Friends, and Family

Plus! Open to those new to MPT or interested in a Future Team; Information will be available.

What: Join us for Dessert, Cocktails, Door Prizes, Networking, and more!

Tickets are available at the door by donation (on a sliding scale, suggested donation $15); no one will be turned away for inability to pay. All are welcome.

When: September 15th, 2010

Open House, come anytime 7pm to 9pm

Where:

Community Room

Affirmations Community Center of Ferndale

290 W Nine Mile, Ferndale MI 48220

(Detroit Area)

For more information, or to reserve tickets, contact Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com.

People in Detroit in solidarity with Juarez

2010-08-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Money has never been one of my favorite things, yet I know that it's necessary for living. When I was told about the need to raise funds for the Juarez trip, I immediately thought of all the parishes at which I have ministered and decided to speak to the pastors about the possibility of asking for support from the parishioners. I have been at St.Anne's, St. Gabriel's, Maria Madre de la Iglesia, Queen of Angels, Most Holy Trinity, Holy Redeemer, and St. Hedwig's. These are all inner city parishes in Detroit.

I am humbled by the response of the people, by their generosity, their promise of prayers. and all the hugs and love that have filled my heart.

Allow me to share one of my most favorite experiences: I had lost track of a former catechist of mine and when we finally reconnected, hearing my voice on the phone she broke out in tears. It was more that just tears -- there were sobs and she finally said that she couldn't take the pain any longer: She had just learned that her mother in Mexico had serious cancer, her husband had an infection that the doctors told her could be fatal and her little boy also seemed to have the same infection. Plus, she had just found out that she was pregnant.

We talked at length and I said that I wished we were face to face so I could have just held her and received her pain. Finallly she asked me what I was doing. I shared with her my plan of going to Juarez, also telling her how I was seeking support at all the parishes where I had ministered. Her reply - in the midst of all her pain -was that she was going to make some flan and sell it. She wanted to be part of my cause and help me. Wow, what selflessness!!

Then, it was I who had to cry and thank her for her goodness and compassion for the people of Juarez! I have received support beyond my expectations that tells me, "Yes, the people in southwest Detroit are in solidarity with Michigan Peace team and want to be part of the effort to empower the people of Juarez."

They know that Peace is Possible!

MPT Juarez article appears in Lansing City Pulse newspaper

2010-08-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

CityPulse, August 25-31, 2010 » Page 7

Mission to Juarez

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By Andy Balaskovitz

Two Lansing women prepare for a four-month peacekeeping mission to the front lines of the war on drugs

Sandra Cade and Sister Nina Rodriguez, both in their 60s, know they are not going to the sleepy tourist border town that Juarez, Mexico, used to be. Instead, their mission as part of the Michigan Peace Team will be to serve as bodyguards and consolers for those who can’t escape.

“Juarez has become a place of fear and violence for people who can’t afford to go elsewhere,” Cade said. “There is no doubt any place Michigan Peace Team goes there is a risk of danger.”

Their goal is to establish a long-term presence in Juarez using a technique called “nonviolent intervention,” which ranges from simply listening to stories to physically protecting citizens. Accompanying Cade and Rodriguez will be Angela Mann, 18, from Ann Arbor and Megan Felt, 23, from Des Moines, Iowa.

This will be the Peace Team’s first trip to Juarez. The organization has been based in Lansing for about 16 years and has done most of its nonviolent intervention work in Israel.

Rodriguez, Mann and Felt leave Tuesday and will be joined at the end of October by Cade, who has a consulting business teaching intercultural communication to young children. All four are scheduled to return Dec. 20. The trip is being paid entirely through fund-raising, though as of last week, Cade estimates the team is about $4,500 short of its goal.

“We want a long-term presence there to build up relationships of trust with the people who are hurting,” Cade said.

Across the Rio Grande River from El Paso, Texas, the violence in Juarez is largely blamed on the U.S.-Mexico war on drugs. The Mexican government has estimated that 28,000 have died in drug war violence.

“Unfortunately the war on drugs has become a war on people,” Cade said. “We are not doing anything to stop the hunger of drugs here (in the U.S.).”

But Cade, 64, said the so-called femicide — the often brutal murders of hundreds of female factory workers, in and around Juarez beginning in the mid-‘90s, according to Amnesty International — is what sparked her interest in the trip.

Rodriguez, 69, has spent a good deal of her life as “a person of peace,” as she calls herself, having spent 14 years living in Peru during a time when Peruvian terrorists attempted to overthrow the government by killing people who supported it. She recalls one night when her small coastal village was raided by terrorists seeking medicine.

“They took me aside, and I didn’t know if they would kill me or not,” Rodriguez said. She remembers one young man to this day who was sitting with her when their conversation turned to Mexican comedy routines.

Rodriguez remembers a fleeting bond. “Since then I have had the hunger to be a person of peace. It’s a journey and that’s why I am going (to Juarez).”

Felt recently graduated from the University of Iowa with degrees in anthropology and Spanish and is a Catholic volunteer. She was part of a nonviolent intervention mission in Colombia that sparked her interest in the work and learned over the Internet about the Michigan Peace Team’s trip.

“I have heard of the killings and the rapes of women and know the dangers,” Felt said. “It’s concerning but all the more reason to go.”

Felt views the humanitarian mission with a certain angst toward the Mexican and U.S. governments and their policies in the drug war, which she believes is feeding the violence. She is blunt about the nature of the trip.

“Our bodies will be human shields, escorting people during tough situations when you don’t know who will come running through the door,” she said. “And loving that soldier who has a gun at your head. We will be creating space for that love to grow.”

She said almost every one she knows has tried talking her out of going. Though it’s too bad they feel that way, Felt said it’s her mission to do this work, which is giving way to general excitement.

Cade refers to the Juarez situation as “just a step across the bridge that neither country is willing to deal with.”

While addressing a crowd of seven women at the Red Cedar Meeting House in Old Town, Cade fought back tears.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed. I won’t say I am not terrified,” she said following a showing of “Bordertown” — a modern Hollywood drama depicting the femicide in Juarez. “I still don’t believe I’m going, but I’m going. Somebody has to.”

Members of the Michigan Peace Team will chronicle their experience at www.mptinjuarez.blogspot.com

She hopes their presence will be part of a longterm solution for finding peace.

“We have no illusions that we will turn the world around in Juarez,” Cade said. “It’s one person, one soul, one heart at a time.”

— Andy Balaskovitz

http://npaper-wehaa.com/citypulse/2010/08/25/?article=984979&dpg=1

Will Mexico Legalize Drugs?

2010-08-20T09:31:00.000-07:00

Democracy Now presents a thoughtful discussion of a possible change in Mexico's drug laws and their influence and impact on the economy and human rights.

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/8/19/as_deaths_mount_to_28_000

A Day in Lansing, Michigan includes Radio Interviews w/two members of the Juarez Team

2010-08-18T20:17:00.001-07:00

Nina and Sandra had a busy day in Lansing Wednesday, August 18, beginning with lunch @ Pablo's Panaderia and Old Town Mexican Restaurant. Several of our supporters also enjoyed the delicious offerings throughout the day, resulting in a generous donation from Pablo that exceeded the 20% promised. We have also been invited to return for a similar event after our sojourn in Juarez. Gracias, Pablo.Next on our Wednesday agenda was a pre-taped radio interview with co-hosts Kyle Melinn and Berl Schwartz, editor of Lansing City Pulse The show, which also featured Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, Ingham co. Treasurer Eric Schertzing, and Renegade Theatre Festival Producer Chad Badgero, aired at 7:00 p.m. just as we were starting our Informational & Fundraising Event. Hear a podcast of City Pulse on the Air @ http://www.lansingcitypulse.com/lansing/article-4692-8_18_10-radio-show.html Our portion of the show starts @ 28.18 Just after 6:00 we were interviewed live on the WILS 1320AM show Ebling and You. The podcast is available @ http://www.webwiseforradio.com/site_files/368/Media/8-18-10_Sandra%20Cade.mp3
Thank you to both these Lansing media sources for helping us to spread the word about Juarez.

Our evening ended at Red Cedar Meeting House in Lansing, where about a dozen people viewed the film Border Town with us. All were quite moved by the movie and found that it affirmed many of the reasons that call us to Juarez this fall and into the future.

Trailer:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screen

play/vi3183149337/

Percentage Fundraiser & Informational Meeting in Lansing August 18

2010-08-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

Pablo’s Panaderia

311 E Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48933
(517) 372-0887

Be sure to mention Michigan Peace Team in Juarez when stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or (and?) dinner this Wednesday, August 18 at this great Old Town Lansing Mexican restaurant. Pablo will donate 20% of your bill to support our first peace team to reside in Juarez this fall.

At 7:00 p.m., be sure to walk around the corner to Red Cedar Friends Meeting House at 1400 Turner for a free viewing of Border Town, starring Jennifer Lopez & Antonio Banderas. (See synopsis & trailer below)

Guest speakers include members of the 2009 exploratory team and Sandra & Nina from the upcoming fall team. Fair trade items from Guatemala will be available for purchase as a fundraiser for the fall Juarez team.

Synopsis: Since 1993, almost 400 women have been murdered in Juarez, Mexico, a factory town that is home to people who toil away at "maquiladoras" (border factories) making

cheap consumer goods for the US market. Bordertown tells the story of Lauren Fredricks (Jennifer Lopez), an ambitious newspaper reporter, who has been sent to Juarez by her editor (Martin Sheen) to investigate what has happened to these hundreds of women and how the local police and authorities have been covering up the brutal rapes and murders. Lauren looks up her former colleague (and lover) Alfonso Diaz (Antonio Banderas), who now runs the local paper, and they soon uncover one of the hottest stories of the year when they come across the only known survivor of one of these mysterious attacks. The victim is reluctant to speak, but Lauren convinces her to break the silence; yet the real danger is not the murder, but the larger forces who don’t want the story told. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4183760/bordertown_movie_trailer/

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS ON TO YOUR ORGANIZATION'S MAILING LIST.

Support Peace with Fair Trade

2010-07-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Gracias to those who have made a one-time or recurring to donation to our work in Juarez via Michigan Peace Team's registration with the nonprofit, donor-advised fund Network for Good. We are well on our way to purchasing plane tickets for the four members of our initial team.

We are excited to offer another way for you to contribute while at the same time supporting the work of women's cooperatives in Guatemala. Our friend Melinda VanSlyke has been involved in Guatemala solidarity work since 1995 when she served there as a human rights observer in a

returned refugee village. Because her experiences taught her that true community development has to involve women, Melinda began a fundraising program selling products from women's cooperatives and small scale family-run businesses.

Oralia & Amparo, leaders of the Trama Textile Cooperative in Quetzaltenango.

Melinda & her friend Wilbur from the village where she was a civil rights observer.

Girls from Santa Cruz who use proceeds from their beading cooperative for schooling and to supplement family income.

Heart of the Sky Fair Trade and Michigan Peace Team's initial Juarez team are happy to be working in solidarity with women. As you purchase textiles, clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, food & drink at Heart of the Sky you will support community development in

Guatemala. Use the code MPTJuarez at check-out to direct 30% of your purchase to our team's work in bringing peace to the women and families of Juarez.

The International Fair Trade movement defines fair trade as "a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South. Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade."

Click here to visit Heart of the Sky Fair Trade

Si quieres Paz, lucha por la Justicia
(Karol Józef Wojtyła)

Provocative Interview

2010-06-10T19:06:00.000-07:00

Democracy Now - A daily TV/radio news program, hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan Gonzalez, airing on over 800 stations, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the U.S

Charles Bowden on Murder City: Ciudad Juárez and the Global Economy’s New Killing Fields

Take a look at this provocative interview to hear a long-time international news reporter discuss his most recent publication.

Why I am going to Juarez

2010-06-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

Hello, my name is Nina and I am preparing to be part of the Michigan Peace Team in Juarez this fall. I was a missionary in South Amirica and learned so much from the poor. Their deepest hunger was to live in peace and that has become my deepest desire. I wish to be in solidarity with the people in Juarez knowing the suffering that is being lived there.

Megan: What Calls me to Ciudad Juárez

2010-06-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

I will be traveling to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico this fall as a member of Michigan Peace Teams to partake in non-violent human rights work.

Previous to Mexico, I have traveled throughout Latin America witnessing and accompanying everyday people in their struggle to maintain or regain sustainable, peaceful livelihoods. From what I have learned both abroad and at home in the United States of our government's 'standard operating procedure', I feel very responsible for the violent atrocities and corporate takeover throughout the Americas, and in this case, in neighboring Mexico. I believe that the roots of the drug trade, violence, poverty and mass migration in the borderlands are economic insecurity much ensured by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) of 1994.

I want to work in Mexico because I believe that Mexican citizens hold the solutions to their decades old obstacles, and that they deserve solidarity from U.S. citizens.

If we are silent now in this phase of their struggle, when Mexicans are making courageous acts of nonviolence, then we are complicit in the oppression. I believe that our presence of non-violent solidarity has the power to create the space for organizing toward peaceful alternatives, denouncing the current violence and oppression, and healing and forgiveness.

Please support the Fall 2010 Juárez Michigan Peace Team and our Mexican partners by following this blog, responding to urgent actions, and donating to Michigan Peace Teams.

From Sandra - Why I am going to Juarez

2010-06-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hola, soy Sandra!

This fallI will be serving as part of the Michigan Peace Team in Juarez, Mexico because I feel called to respond to an invitation from the city's residents to help create awareness of the possibility and potency of non-violence.

I invite those who read this blog to consider what it must feel like to raise a family in a city referred to by the international press as the Murder Capital of the World. For my part, I plan to provide some insight by using my skills as a narrator of life histories to communicate the stories of women and families who live under the daily threat of violence.

Firmly believing that meeting violence with violence is NOT the answer, this summer I am training with my team mates from across the U.S.A. to learn to foster a non-violent response that will be stronger than the code of silence that now reigns in neighborhoods controlled by drug cartels. As international witnesses we will stand in solidarity so that our nearest neighbors to the south will know that they are not alone.

The experiences and skills we learn while in Juarez will inform the work that each of us does in our home communities. In my case, this means continuing to work with a communal garden recently started in my neighborhood with the goal of nourishing a culture of cooperation so that we feel safe and connected.

Juárez Team Intro- Angela

2010-06-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

My name is Angela and I am training to be a participant in the 2010 Fall Juárez team. As a group I hope that we can help initiate and place a peaceful presence within the city of Juárez. My biggest challenge will be learning to deal with the serious situations that are currently taking place in Juárez. I feel that I can bring strengths to the team through my past experiences and as a team we can develop a unified presence. I am a recent graduate and hope that my experiences will help me in Juárez. I plan on using the experiences that I gain while participating in the team to help me in my future career work.

Check back for more from us soon!!

Angie

Equipo de MPT de Otoño 2010 para Juárez, México

2010-05-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

Equipo de Otoño 2010 de MPT para

JUAREZ, MEXICO

¡Inscripciones abiertas!

Se necesitan hispanohablantes

3 MESES - SIN COSTO PARA USTED - CAPACITACIÓN Y APOYO
ESTAMOS ACEPTANDO SOLICITUDES – PERÍODO: SEPTIEMBRE 1^° - DICIEMBRE 20 DE 2010.

SOLICITUD PARA SER PARTE DEL EQUIPO DE PAZ

Pulse sobre el link en la parte superior para acceder a una e-solicitud, o contacte a Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com para mayor información.

Invitación a Juárez

Luego de un extenso debate y trabajo con grupos de la comunidad de Juárez – y un largo proceso de discernimiento y toma de decisiones con nuestra organización – MPT está preparando un Equipo para el otoño de 2010 en respuesta a la siguiente invitación enviada por el Centro de Derechos Humanos (extracto):

"En relación a su participación como Equipo de Paz en nuestra ciudad, creemos que su aporte es muy positivo y puededesarrollarse mediate tres acciones importantes:

1. Formar una Red Internacional para difundir la problemática de Ciudad Juárez, como extranjeros preocupados por la violencia e inseguridad que tenemos

2. Estar en un área de trabajo de base en comunidades pobres, con metas concretas en un tiempo determinado con voluntarios que hablen español para:
- Crear conciencia de la no violencia desde las comunidades con mujeres, jóvenes y adolescentes;
- Proporcionar servicio de escucha por la situación de dolor que se vive para las mujeres y sus familias;
- Fomentar una cultura de denuncia para romper con la cultura del silencio

3. Estar presente, en tanto sea posible, en demostraciones de no violencia y “sentadas”".

New from Michigan Peace Team

2010-05-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Read about our latest work, and updates on our team to Juarez here:

MPT Spring Newsletter (now printed on recycled paper!)

May E-News Update

Team Now Forming; Watch for Reports Starting Summer/Fall 2010

2010-04-23T15:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your interest in MPT's Fall 2010 Peace Team to Juarez, Mexico.

We are currently screening applicants for this Team, and making arrangements for training and preparation of our team members. If you are interested in being on this team, there's still time to apply, or contact Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com for more information. See our CONTACT & APPLY page above, or read the FAQs for links to our application, and more.

In response to our invitation, from September to December 2010 MPT's team will help to:

- Create a conscientiousness of non-violence from within the communities - especially with women, youth and adolescents;

- Provide the service of listening to those women and their families who are living in the situation of suffering;

- Foster a culture of denouncing in order to break the culture of silence.

- Be present as possible at nonviolent demonstrations and sit-ins.

- Form an International Network in order to let others know of the Juarez problem, as foreigners concerned about the violence and insecurity that we have.

Please keep watching this report blog for an introduction to our Team Members this summer, as well as Reports directly from the Team in Juarez once they are on the ground.

Sincerely

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Team Deployment Coordinator
Michigan Peace Team

Announcing MPT Fall 2010 Team to Juarez, Mexico

2010-03-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

MPT FALL 2010 TEAM TO

JUAREZ, MEXICO

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Spanish Speakers Needed

3 MONTHS - NO COST TO YOU - TRAINING & SUPPORT
NOW TAKING APPLICATIONS - DEPLOYMENT: SEPTEMBER 1st- DECEMBER 20th, 2010

Peace Team Application

Click the link above for the e-application, or contact Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com for more information.

Invitation to Juarez

After extensive consultation and work with community groups in Juarez-- and a lengthy process of discernment and decision making with our organization-- MPT is planning a Team for Fall 2010 in response to the following Invitation from the Centro de Derechos Humanos (excerpt):

"In relation to your participation as a Peace Team in our city, we consider that your contribution is very positive and can move in three important actions:

1. To form an International Network in order to let others know of the Juarez problem, as foreigners concerned about the violence and insecurity that we have.

2. To be in one area of work based in poor communities, with concrete goals for a determined time with volunteers who speak Spanish in order to:

- To create a conscientiousness of non-violence from within the communities - with women, youth and adolescents;

- To provide the service of listening to those women and their families who are living in the situation of suffering;

-To foster a culture of denouncing in order to break the culture of silence.

3. To be present as possible at nonviolent demonstrations and sit-ins."

Thanks and Looking Forward

2009-12-08T10:57:00.001-08:00

Now that the team has returned from Juarez, MPT is reviewing their Exploratory Team Report and taking the next steps in our exploratory team process-- both in Committee and in our Core Community.

We want to thank everyone involved in this work, especially our team members Liz, Renee, Berta, and Jose, and our invaluable friend in Juarez, Julie.

We also want to thank all of you who have been following our team on this Blog, and please keep checking in with MPT here and our our home site, www.MichiganPeaceTeam.org.

Sincerely,

Nicole Rohrkemper
International Team Deployment Coordinator
Michigan Peace Team

November 19, 2009

2009-11-21T04:01:00.001-08:00

Our exploratory team was tasked with investigating possibilities for a future MPT team in Juárez, Mexico and submitting our findings in writing to the MPT Juárez Committee. This committee will use our report to make recommendations to MPT’s Core Community regarding any future work in Juárez.

Now we have completed our exploratory work. It has been a great privilege for us to be with the people of Juárez these past weeks and to work in the name of Michigan Peace Team.

Please know that we are grateful beyond words for your support, good energy, and prayer during our stay in Juárez.

Your MPT Juárez Exploratory Team to Juárez,
Berta Betanzos
José López
Renee Richie
Liz Walters

November 18, 2009

2009-11-21T04:00:00.001-08:00

During the morning we met with members of the Center for Human Rights in Juárez. This is the group that invited MPT to send an exploratory team to Juárez. At this meeting our team reported the highlights of our findings and expressed our gratitude to center members for their excellent work. Center members then shared final messages with us.

Here is a summary of the responses from center members after our team report:

· The children … they are our heart …we needed more time so that you could see how the children play, how they learn, how they live AND how we love them. I want you to see that the children of Juárez are the light of our hearts.

· We start with the children. They are our future AND our present.

· Thank you for your presence. You have motivated me and helped me to learn how to be part of a team. To solve our problems we have to be serious about teamwork. Peace is for everyone. Seeing how MPT works gives me hope. We can do much more here.

· Thank you -- what you have done. You have been with people who have been in fear and terror. The proposals that you have shared are very positive. Also you help us to see how to unite together with other organizations. Our people are paralyzed with fear. The organizations are also paralyzed. The situation has been very difficult -- you have helped us to lift our spirits. We need so much. We are dealing with those who have much power and no respect for life.

· You have experience with groups of people. This has been good. You have explored our roots and the history of our people. The presence and accompaniment --- I feel that it is very powerful for the people. I like that you have opened up to see how people live, and how they you want to be with you.

· We have much work to do here to resolve our problems. As you return to the United States I hope you will share how things need to change there too: Some of the problems we face in Juarez are rooted in the United States. For example…The maquiladoras exploit our people and harm our family structure. Also the drug trade flows to the United States and weapons flow from the United States to Juárez.

· Now very young youth collect $100 for killing a person—it’s awful to say but this has become a business. Hit men are 14 or 16 years old. This is what I fear in the Barrios – Juárez children are being used for this terrible business. After killing they sit down and wait for the soldiers. They know they will not get jail time

· You help us to see the importance of listening. We need to listen to one another.

· Our people of Km 27 very happy that you have come. We are very disposed to receive MPT.

· The people of the First of May say they noticed us. They see we want peace and have many needs. You are very welcome --We hope that you can return!

· I would say to you thank you for you solidarity—You see clearly that not only is Juárez filled with violence; but it is also filled with hope.

· I was quite concerned about Juárez and the country---Until Julia said that peace was possible -- the obstacles are great. Authoritarianism is strong and things will get worse. I want to be hopeful and work hard for Juárez.

· It would be wonderful to have you in the whole city. It would be a great support. Thanks to Julia and all of you for coming.

Following this meeting we were invited to a celebration sponsored by a group of senior citizens in Juárez.

With them we enjoyed a delicious meal and we danced together. Wisely the seniors told us, singing and dancing is part of our work!

Finally we had an important meeting with two Adrian Dominican sisters (Donna and Maureen) who have dedicated their lives in service of the people of Juárez. Their love wisdom and insights touched us deeply.

November 17, 2009

2009-11-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

Once again, we experienced another oasis in Juárez. We visited the Centro de Asesoria y Promocion Juvenil and spoke with its founder and two youths who have benefit from the programs at this youth center. Centro de Asesoría y Promoción Juvenil (CASA – Youth Assessment and Promotion Center) in Ciudad Juárez – aims to prevent youth violence and marginalization. Its vision is to improve the quality of life of young girls and boys and youth is the community through the creation of spaces and programs that contribute to their social and civic formation and promotion. For more on this center, see its Spanish web site at
http://www.casapj.org/index.php

This center involves young people from poor neighborhoods in productive and constructive alternatives. They work from the premise that gangs are excellent vehicles for poor youngsters to socialize. The center redirects and refocus such activities as graffiti painting and hip hop/rap into a form of artistic expression for young gang members. The center coordinated the summit of several neighborhood gangs (Ratas 13, Los Tristes. Bajos 21, Novenos, and others) and in one day of collaboration among the different gangs painted a mural along the wall of a day care center affiliated with the center. Each gang used its colors and tried to express their own voice.

One of the youngsters sharing his experiences at the center with us is a former gang member who now attends the university by means of a scholarship from the center. He explained how the center provides training for serigraphy and the young people have started a micro industry silk screening different products and selling them. He also told us about the different concerts the center organizes where young people are able to express and verbalize their sentiments through hip hop, rap and other forms of music. The have uploaded to U-tube videos of their performances. Click or copy URL below to sample of one of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt8HiGhszxk&feature=player_embedded#

The center is in the midst of a girls soccer competition. Young women from different neighborhoods form soccer team and compete against each other. The matches are well attended and provides a gathering place where gangs and people from all the surrounding neighborhoods can intermingle in a social and pacific way. They even have a team made up entirely of Tarahumara young women.

Additionally the center provides educational opportunities for young people whose parents cannot afford the uniforms or textbook required by the public education system. The center is in process of expansion into a building donated by its former user Kolping International.

November 15, 2009

2009-11-17T17:06:00.000-08:00

Misa, 11:30 am, Sta Elena

Following the Mass 55 people, both young and old, stayed to share their stories of the recent situation in Juárez. Violence - fear - paralyzed - need to pray - were what we heard.

Pancho challenged them to be active, keep hope even if they might be killed for their dreams.
Two youths spoke of personal experiences of violence. Several women also shared experiences with tears in their eyes. One 12-year old youth shared how he was affected by what happened when he was detained by the military. A university professor repeated what Lorenzo said about individual leadership needed, and urged them to hold on to their dreams. A different youth said laws are lenient for minors. Courts give limited sentences and they return to society even more violent than before. Another youth told us that two young hit men from two different gangs were at a social event. They were asked, “How can you be social with an opposing gang member? One replied in an indifferent manner, “It’s not a problem. Here I can socialize and the other is my job. The same person added that young people fail to recognize killing causes extreme grief, that impacts the family permanently, suddenly there is no income just loss of a loved one. One mother noted that Forbes Magazine lists Mexicans Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán (leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel) and Carlos Slim among the richest people in the world. Her concern is that young people look to them as models. Pancho said that youth need to be respected and encouraged to get an education where they will learn good moral values.

And so we have come to realize the situation here is very complex, yet leaders are being called forth to lead organizations to change the violent atmosphere. We were especially challenged by one man to pray for our enemies, the drug lords, the corrupt government, the military and the police. We left feeling that in spite of all the difficulties, suffering, the people have maintained hope.

November 14, 2009

2009-11-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday was a day to rest. We did have the opportunity to visit Granjas Unidas a colonia high up in the hills of small animal breeders. There we experienced the dances of a group of Matachines. Usually one group sponsors another by providing the new group with the dance costumes. This ceremony included the blessing of the new garments and banners. Matachines are group of dancers who perform religious themed dances usually at several Roman Catholic celebrations.

November 16, 2009

2009-11-17T13:06:00.000-08:00

Land ownership was the topic of this day’s meeting with the lawyer who represents people who have been living on the land and working to obtain legal title to their property for the past thirty years or more. The president of the ejido and a person who brought a group of peasants to the ejido forty years ago were present. The lawyer gave a brief history of the manner in which Mexican department of Agrarian Reform distributed land. Government land that was not being used was given to peasants who had little or no income with the requirement that the land must be used for farming and or raising animals. Large parcels of land called ejidos were often located in the outskirts of municipalities and the peasants had to petition the department of Agrarian Reform to legalize their status as landowners. In recent years, some Juárez peasants learned that their ejido remained at the petition status and not yet legalized. In addition, due to government corruption, wealthy people were allowed to purchase ejido land already occupied by peasants. In some cases, homes were torn down, fences were erected, and farm animals were taken by the wealthy. Some peasants were made to pay for the same property more than once or pay dues to occupy their land.

In 1994, a former president of México, enacted a law to end Agrarian Reform to allow wealthy individuals to use their money to develop unused lands. It was stated that there is a large multinational plan to develop an economic corridor from New México to Panama. In one case, a in wealthy individual got the title to land ownership in 48 hours contrasted to the 30 years peasants have struggled to obtain a legal title to their land.

The people living in the ejidos lack running water, paved streets and other services because the municipality requires land titles to deliver these services. The presenters stated that large amounts of money have been spent to construct roads and provide water along the future economic corridor where there are no people living.

The lawyer stated that these people must have hope, perseverance, a vision. He added that the ejido has leaders, yet needs organizers, more involved residents of the ejido, and funds to complete the legal process. This presenter affirmed that the presence of women religious and some clergy gives the people hope because they work so that people know their rights.

November 13, 2009

2009-11-14T08:50:00.000-08:00

Today our team met with three organizers of a network of ten women’s groups in Juárez and México. During their analysis they reported that violence and violent responses are moving the Juárez community and indeed the whole of México in the opposite direction of liberation and justice. They also reported that the media plays a key role in promoting this negative direction. For example, in Juárez fear is widespread and it's impact is negative. Fear imprisons families in their homes. It scares people into silence. It prevents people from helping victims of violence or their families. It paralyzes the human spirit. Moreover, to the support the militarization of Juarez, the government is diverting human service funds to the military.

In contrast, the organizers of the network share a message of vision and hope. The women’s network is pioneering a new direction and the formation of a new movement. They have three clear and immediate goals: one, to publicly promote human rights, justice, and peace; two, to advocate legislative action; three, to reach out locally, nationally, and internationally. Locally they sponsor theater-in-the-streets to help the people understand what is happening and they make public violence and injustice and talk about human rights in the streets. Nationally they organize public events and marches. Presently one march that includes women from twelve states is headed for Mexico City. Internationally they reach out to human rights groups around the planet. Moreover they are beginning to use the tools of the internet.

Organizers tell us that they experience dangers, and intimidation and sometimes feel alone. Community and solidarity is their source of strength and the possibility of peace team presence and nonviolent protective accompaniment speaks to them.

In the evening we met with representatives from four colonias, (neighborhoods). The meeting began with a positive reflection on team work. Then the representatives shared information about their needs assessments and organizing efforts.

November 12, 2009

2009-11-13T15:10:00.000-08:00

We visited Casa del Migrante en Juárez, A.C. It was founded in June 1990 by the Scalabrinians priests as a shelter and place for rest for migrants on their way to the USA. In recent years its mission has change to accept the people who are deported from the USA back to México each day. Visit

www.casadelmigrante.com

It is now being run by 1 priest, 1brother, and 4 nuns all from Dominican congregations. Their objective is to treat these poor, rejected people in the most humane way possible. They go to the Santa Fe bridge several times each evening to pick up the people being sent back. They come back with absolutely nothing. Some have been mistreated along the way. Others have been robbed. Most have been at a detention center in the USA and come wearing wristbands Ids which some leave at Casa del Migrante near the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The men are very sad and depressed while the emotions of the women are so deeply felt they are in despair.

The Casa welcomes them, feeds them, and offers them a shower, a bed with clean sheets. They have a large section where they have donated clothes to make the returning people feel like human beings again. There is a chapel that is available as they begin to recover so they can continue their journey home. Bus companies provide up to 50% discounts on their tickets back to where they came from but they must find the other part of the fare themselves. People from Tijuana are returned to Juárez and those from Juárez are returned to Tijuana.

Returning people stay overnight up three days and there are exceptions especially for women who have been separated from their children. Most of those returning find their way back home but they have been so traumatized reentry is extremely difficult. The unemployment and economic crisis in México makes their lives chaotic. Resources for therapy and health is almost non existent.

The USA dumps people over the border it is a “Mexican Problem.” Meanwhile US trade policies, use of drugs, sale of arms has changed the culture of our Mexican brothers and sisters. The roots of poverty need to me explained more clearly in the US if we are really serious about building a peaceful inter-relational world.

Today, as we heard Rubén García said, one work of the MPT could be to develop language to speak to the US culture about the dynamics what is happening in Juárez. Rubén is the director of Annunciation house and invites people of the US to come for an immersion experience to analyze the reality of Mexican-US border.

Today we also met West Cosgrove, director of Casa Puente, who believes strongly that one of the causes of border injustice has its roots in the US immigration policies. West is working with immersion groups, giving lectures, and doing whatever he can to help people in the US to understand the crisis that has been created in Juárez and is growing bigger each day. No matter what wall we build or what arms we use, the answer to stopping violence comes with creating a better world for everyone on both sides of the border. Both Annunciation House and Casa Puente are located in El Paso, Texas. For reference check out www.projectpuente.org

November 11, 2009

2009-11-13T14:49:00.002-08:00

The team called today’s site “An oasis in the middle of a desert.” Our site visit in the morning took place at a private school and cooperative built on the top of the former garbage dump of the city. Centro Santa Catalina de Siena serves 30 kindergartners in three shifts of 10 each according to age, and300 students for after school programs. Students come from the nearby colonias. The students receive a full scholarship.

The Centro also hosts a women’s cooperative where 29 ladies work three mornings per week creating indigenous style tablecloths, shawls, handbags, and other made-to-order garments for sale at churches in the USA and through the internet. These women receive a monthly salary and participate in the decision making process of the cooperative/school. Most of these women came to Juarez about 20 years ago from México’s interior searching for jobs to support their families.

After sharing their stories of violence in Juárez, one of the women said, “Centro Santa Catalina is one of the solutions. It teaches children their ABCs and family values. Women can come to create beautiful crafts and sell them. Women now are aware that they have rights and they do not have to suffer domestic violence and other human rights injustices.”

The latest project the Centro undertook is the creation of three raised vegetable gardens. The hope is to expand it as a community garden project in order to unite the communities.

Centro Santa Catalina is incorporated as a 501(c)3 in the USA and is able to fulfill its mission with the generous donations and contributions of many foundations, corporations, and individuals.

In the afternoon we visited the Integral Defense Area of the Human Rights Center. They made a presentation on their history and objectives followed by statistics of their service to the community. This group is deeply involved with the land ownership issues of the Colonia Km 27 that we visited last Sunday. The Integral Defense Area is discerning over the dissolution of the Agrarian Reform office, the installation of an Ejido 30+ years ago, the lack of legal papers showing ownership of the land, and the fast moving mega development (Geronimo Project) of the area for an industrial park that will cover lands in New Mexico, Texas, and Juárez, México. This Human Rights Center invited the MPT to place a permanent team in Juárez and has been achieving its goals with a series of successful programs in favor of the poor in Juárez.

November 10, 2009

2009-11-13T14:49:00.001-08:00

The Team attended a workshop in which a socio-political expert presented a multifaceted analysis of Mexico’s past, present and future. He stated that there have been cyclical trends of civil unrest and serious social problems, followed significant changes. The speaker predicted that a great positive change will take place in 2010, that will have a significant impact on the youth and strengthen the family unit. This change would be in contrast to current high levels of organized crime, global financial collapse, drug trafficking, and the petroleum crisis.
The analyst pointed out that the majority of those convicted of crimes in Juárez are of low socio-economic class and there is manipulation of information transmitted to the population. People are paralyzed with fear, lack trust of police entities at all levels of government. He also stated that when social problems are not acknowledged they cannot be resolved.
This speaker affirmed that grassroots people need to be empowered to make social changes. They must have hope and dreams, as well as, leadership and solidarity with others.

MPT meets with Project Puente

2009-11-12T15:19:00.000-08:00

For a quick snapshot of what Project Puente does, visit http://projectpuente.org/

November 9, 2009

2009-11-10T08:42:00.000-08:00

We met at the house of one of the community organizers in Colonia Primero de Mayo. Twenty two women gathered to share their experiences with violence and brought a dish to pass. According to them, this neighborhood has experienced the assassination of three of its young people. It has experienced the random patrol of army soldiers with some home invasions and robberies. Residents in this neighborhood deal with random shootings, assaults among neighbors, the violation of their rights because they are not aware of their rights, and the fear of leaving their homes at night. Several of the women expressed their personal stories of divorces or plain abandonment by their mates, being prey of scam artists, and becoming disabled and unable to provide for their families.

At the same time we observed several positive things in the neighborhood. First, children were happily playing on the dirt streets in the late afternoon/dusk. Second, a group from the USA has recently come to this neighborhood and built two-rooms houses for needy families under the program “Casas por Cristo” or Homes because of Christ. Third, the people in the community are starting to organize and learn about their human rights and the importance of presenting a united front. They show a hope for better times soon.

Lastly, we visited in the same neighborhood a session of the program “Pasito a Pasito” or Little step after Little Step. There adult coordinators from the Center of Human Rights provide well-structured activities for young children two days per week. The activities include creative singing while acting out the words, mural painting to cover and decrease graffiti, and other team building activities to instill a sense of trust and other civic values on the leaders of tomorrow.

November 8, 2009

2009-11-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Colonia Km. 27 is in the outskirts of Juárez. It is a neighborhood without running water or street lights. Its inhabitants are going through tough times dealing with land ownership issues. Some have papers from the time of the Agrarian Reform but need legal assistance in clarifying their ownership status. Many of the long time settlers are afraid because during the past five years other residents have had their homes torn down or burned down by the supposedly new owners of the land. They reported that the new owners are usually rich and influential business people willing to expand their empires at any cost without proper compensation.

The local residents were very candid in sharing their experiences with us. Another injustice experienced by one of the participants and common to many other residents is that of falling prey to loan sharks. Although three of the residents settled out of court and were able to get out of the unreasonable high rate of interest and late fees (some as high as 800%), others are afraid to come forward because of threats made by the lender and her family. The lender is also a resident in the same neighborhood who is taking advantage of the emergency need of money (funerals, etc.) of her fellow neighbors.

November 7, 2009

2009-11-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

Met with a grassroots group in Colonia Andres Figueroa. A couple issues came out of the conversation. One was the fact that children in the area lack values. Another was the fear of violence requiring people to stay at home more often. Two participants worked in maquiladoras (assembly factories) and they brought up the issue of injustice of those groups failing to hire anyone over 35 years old and other harsh working conditions. The speakers were mature individuals who had first hand knowledge of the history of their neighborhood.

November 6, 2009

2009-11-06T16:17:00.000-08:00

Today we had the opportunity to meet with an education committee of the Center for Human Rights, This committee works with grassroots committees in a number of Juárez colonias (neighborhoods). It was a helpful experience for us to learn how the area is organized and how planning and outreach happens. At the meeting important human rights events were discussed including a city-wide December 10th event to celebrate the 51th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights. In solidarity with the City of Juárez we hope to organize events in Michigan on that day.

Since Sunday our team and Julia have been working 12-13 hours a day, so we taking the afternoon off.

Before closing permit us to share a chart regarding homicides in Juárez.

November 5, 2009

2009-11-06T14:27:00.001-08:00

November 5th was filled with learning experiences from morning to night. The day’s work included meetings and interactions with individuals who risk their lives in the struggle for human rights and justice. Special Note: Due to the danger that these courageous men and women face each and every day because of their human rights work we are not printing their names.

Six grass roots representatives from five different Juárez neighborhoods:
Speaking on behalf of their neighborhood, these grass roots representatives shared the most recent violence experienced there. In addition, each shared one or more positive steps their neighborhood has taken to reduce this violence.

Two friends at a Juárez peace and justice center:
Our friends at the Justice and Peace Center offered their analysis of the violence in Juárez and the armed actors involved in that violence. Also, we were invited to walk their labyrinth and enjoy the peaceful space they have created in the midst of downtown Juarez.

An internationally recognized activist:
This renowned activist from Juárez shared her work regarding las muertas de Juárez the dead women of Juárez. She got involved in the work in 2001 because one of her seventeen year old students was found murdered and mutilated. Since then she has been working tirelessly to support the families of the slain women and girls, and she has been investigating the murders. For her good work she has received hundreds of death threats and must always be accompanied by bodyguards.

By way of background, since 1993, the bodies hundreds women and girls have been found in the desert outside Juárez, or in vacant lots and drainage ditches. All were raped and many mutilated. At the time of their violent deaths the victims were between 12-22 years in age.

Recommended Reading: Diana Washington Valdez, an investigative reporter for the El Paso Times, has covered the murders for three years. Her book Harvest of Women is recommended. Also recommended is a book entitled, The Daughters of Juarez by Teresa Rodriguez.

A human rights attorney:
Our team also interacted with an attorney who specializes in constitutional law, human rights law, and policing limitations. He is alarmed because there are violations of human rights. Also, he asserts that the Mexican constitution has been violated because the Mexican army has been given a policing role. Moreover, he maintains that legitimate police agencies in Juárez have been ineffective in their work due to a lack of coordination and organization.

November 4, 5, and 6 Reports and Headlines from a Juarez Newspaper called El Diaro:
On November 4 another the human rights attorney began his sharing with us by reporting that there were six homicides by 8:00 am on November 4th. Then he sadly predicted that there would be 13 to 15 homicides by day’s end… On November 5th the newspaper reported that 15 homicides [in Juárez] occurred on November 4, 2009.

The November 5th lead story was about the murder of four young men. At noon these men were lined up along a school fence and shot dead. Students were in the playground when this happened.

In the November 6th headlines of the El Diario Newspaper we read: “Half of the people from Juárez favor paramilitary groups-Citizens should be able to bear arms.”

November 4, 2009

2009-11-05T18:17:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, we met with a human rights attorney. He made a thorough presentation of the deaths in Juárez based on newspaper accounts for the last year or so. His overall report included a summary of various news articles that accentuated the ineffectiveness of the Mexican army presence in curbing or reducing the homicides in Juárez.

He also brought to our attention the complexity of the violence in Juárez with vivid examples, many reported in credible newspapers, of kidnappings, disappearances, extortion, death threats, how children are becoming immune to the day to day killings, the flight of businesses and entire families to either El Paso or other places in the interior of México, and the random murder of people who denounce any type of violence.

Additionally, the Juárez situation gets more complex when, according to the attorney, other types of violence are taken into account. Violence such as prostitution, closing of maquiladoras (assembly factories) lack of jobs, AIDS, trafficking in children, government corruption, and the violence to people migrating to the USA and to those being deported back to México and Central America.

November 3, 2009

2009-11-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

Tuesday we visited the Human Rights center that invited the MPT to come to Juárez. There were 12 dedicated people who began their work in 2001.They have developed clear vision and mission statements throughout the years.They have analyzed the situation and planned educational workshops, formed different committees, and are working to deepen their commitment to the community.We also saw two presentations,one regarding the internal functioning of the group and the other showed reported statistics about the increase of homicides since the military arrived in Juárez. Also.they provide legal and psychological help to individuals and for groups that have been deeply affected by the violence.

In the evening, our team met with a neighborhood reflection group consisting of elderly women. These women shared personal experiences with violence, i.e., kidnapping, home invasion by the military, and homicides. Hearing their stories, the team was deeply moved.

November 2, 2009

2009-11-02T17:48:00.000-08:00

We toured Juárez, a city of 1.5 million people. Our tour included several industrial centers of maquiladoras from the USA and a few other countries. What was striking on the tour were the number of companies that have left Juárez, initially going to China for lower wages, and more recently the closure of other factories due to the economic crisis. The results: unemployment for thousands of people, deteriorating buildings, and abandobment of the city,

We also toured many neighborhoods, commercial areas, and land along the border. We viewed one area in the mountains where the people are being driven from their homes by a rich family who aim to develop the area for profit. The poor have no political or judicial recourse due to the collusion of the government with the rich families. Interesting to note was the reduced number of military presence on the streets.

Today was the memorial and celebration of the Day of the Dead, which has indigenous roots. We united at the border fence line on the Mexican side with the people of El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico to remember together all those who died crossing the Rio Grande into the United States. It was said that 5000 people have died in recent times, seeking a better life for their families or escaping from violence in their own countries. The photos show the release of balloons symbolizing persons who have lost their lives in both sides the border.

In this same spirit we visited one of municipal cemeteries where we found graves beautifully cared for and adorned with bright colored flowers as well as neglected and some vandalized graves.

The municipal government has the obligation maintain the cemeteries, roads, hospitals, schools but has failed in these responsibilities due to the great economic drain incurred to pay the military forces deployed in the city. It was clear to us today that security over rides all other human needs.

Berta, Jose, Renee, and Liz

November 1, 2009

2009-11-01T17:46:00.000-08:00

Michigan Peace Team's Exploratory Team to Juarez arrived safe and sound. Julie and Antonia waited two and a half hours to cross the bridge into El Paso, then they drove on to the El Paso airport. We had a delicious dinner together at a Mexican restaurant in El Paso. After dinner we drove to the house we are renting in a Juárez neighborhood. Our host team reviewed the tentative schedule for the duration of our stay.

Today we learned that there were over 300 murders in Juárez during October 2009. We believe it is important that we are here!

Your exploratory Team in Juárez
Berta, Jose, Liz and Renee

Greetings from Liz Walters

2009-10-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hello!

My name is Liz Walters. Over the years I've served on MPT international peace teams to Haiti, Gaza, and the West Bank. Also I've serve on numerous MPT domestic peace teams. Now it is a delight for me to be able to share with you that I will be a part of the soon-to-happen MPT exploratory team to Juarez, Mexico.

As I prepare for our work in Juarez, I am thankful to be a member of such a wonderful exploratory team. We will have much to share with you in the days and weeks ahead. As always your support and good energy during our peace team efforts will be deeply appreciated!

Your sister,
Liz

Hi!

2009-10-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

My name is Renee', and I am an Adrian Dominican sister. I'm looking forward to going to Juarez with Michigan Peace Team to explore possibilities as a more permanent peace team. We'll be leaving soon, and we'll try to keep you posted on our activities. I hope you'll check in on us at this blog!

2009-10-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

This photo shows Berta at the airport ready to travel with sunny places in mind. Buen viaje.

2009-10-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Jose while recuperating from CA treatment last February in the sunny and warm DR. The smile is an expression of happiness remembering the miserable cold and slippery weather he left back in MI. Snowbirds return when Spring has taken a hold and snow is but a dream.

Training Scheduled Oct 23-25th

2009-10-08T04:50:00.000-07:00

Team training reatreat dates have been scheduled for October 23-25th for the Juarez team, and they will also have lots of prep work and training to complete outside of our retreat weekend. Thanks to everyone involved in making this team happen.

Team Now Forming, Training Dates in the Works

2009-09-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

MPT is pleased to announce that the Juarez Exploratory Team is now forming. Training is scheduled only weeks away, and the team members are finishing interviews and moving on to the next stages of the team process in the coming week.

If you have just applied for the team, rest assured we're processing your application swiftly and if you still need to complete interviews, interviewers will be contacting you to schedule those within days.

Finally, if you're still considering joining the team, there may be spot available but you need to act fast. We'll be starting team preparation and setting up team details in a matter of a few days. The team will depart near the first of November. If you haven't applied but are interested, contact Nicole at Nicoler.MPT@gmail.com immediately.

Watch for News about this Special Exploratory Team starting Fall 2009!

2009-09-30T08:07:00.000-07:00