Since Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006 over 60,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico and at least 10,000 people have disappeared. In 2011, the Mexican Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity emerged in response to this widespread violence as a way to give voice to the families of the victims, to publicize the real cost of the war on drugs, and to demand justice for the victims and a change in the Mexican government’s security strategy. After two caravans in Mexico, the peace movement is now embarking on the U.S. Peace Caravan and its last stop is Washington, DC. The U.S. Caravan is interested in promoting dialogue with U.S. civil society on a range of important bi-national issues, including the horrific cost of the drug war, illegal gun trafficking, U.S. military support for Mexico, and the need for more bilateral cooperation to protect migrants. The Caravan will be a chance for victims of violence from both sides of the border to meet, share experience, and advocate for change.

Join victims of the US-supported war on drugs in Mexico for a Washington DC Procession for PEACE with Dignity & Justice

Over 60,000 people have died in Mexico’s misguided “war on drugs”, supported by the US. This summer, Mexican victims, their families and allies have journeyed across the country in a peace caravan, led by Mexican poet Javier Sicilia. Join a Washington DC Peace Procession to amplify their call for action from governments on both sides of the border. Spread the word – @CaravanaUSA #MXRights

Monday, September 10

7:30pm Event at Freedom Plaza to welcome the Caravan for Peace

Tuesday, September 11

8:30am- 10:00am “The Peace Movement in Mexico: Efforts to Bring Justice to the Victims of Violence in the Country”, The Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

12:00pm-2:00pm Talk with members of the Caravan for Peace, American University Kay Spiritual Life Center

4:30-6:30pm Caravan for Peace With Justice and Dignity: a Binational Initiative, WOLA and Latin American Studies at George Mason University, George Mason University

6:00pm-7:30pm U.S. Guns and Violence in Mexico, WOLA, LAWG, the Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University

Wednesday, September 12

5:30pm-9:00pm Procession for Peace
Procession starts at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton Street, NW

Co-sponsors include: Insitute for Policy Studies’ Global Economy project, Global Exchange, Latin America Working Group, Washington Office on Latin America, SOA Watch, with a complete list here: .