San Ysidro, Califas - The kick off to the caravan for immigrant rights got off to a quite and somber start. At noon, there was a press conference only a few yards from where Mexican migrant Oscar Garcia Barrios was murdered by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in May of 2006. Border Angels member, Michaela S., read a letter from Gabriela Barrios, the mother of Oscar Barrios. Michaela fought back tears as she read letter demanding justice for a murdered son.

Standing before cameras from national and international press, Enrique Morones, president of the Border Angels and the organizer of Marcha Migrante said, “We are going to travel the entire length of the U.S./Mexico border so people can tell us their stories, the stories of why we need immigration reform.” Mr. Morones also explained the significance of February 2nd. Not only was this the first day of a 14 day journey, it also marks the 159th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

After the press conference, a twelve car caravan drove 120 miles east to Imperial County, stopping at the Terrace Park Cemetery in Holtville. The cemetery has become the final resetting place for over 400 immigrants who died and were never identified. Many of the unidentified immigrants died while trying to enter the United States. Now they are only identified by the row number of their grave site and with the name John or Jane Doe. Leaving family members in their home country not knowing the fate of their loved one who headed north in search of work.

The participants of the March Migrante gathered in the center of Terrace Park Cemetery to pray for the souls that now rest here. They also brought with them wooden crosses and flowers to lie on the gravesites. Slowly, what had been a mono-colored graveyard became a beautiful display of colors and respect. Participants made a pledge to continue making the long trek to Imperial Valley to pay homage to the nameless migrants and to continue the fight for a just and humane immigration reform.

As the first day of the Marcha Migrante came to an end, those that were continuing on with the caravan headed south towards Calexico for an evening rally. The 2nd day of the caravan would lead them to Yuma and Phoenix, Arizona. The caravan will culminate with what organizers call an “All People’s Immigration Hearing” in San Diego, California on February 17, 2007.

For more information on Marcha Migrante 2 or the All People’s Immigration Hearing, please visit http://www.borderangels.org

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