Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “What we are seeing today on the Arizona border is the greatest human rights crisis ever, a crisis which causes the death of over 200 people every year in this State alone.” These were the words of Isabel Garcia, Co-Chairperson of the Human Rights Coalition in the United States. “For 100 years, our government has been encouraging a non-authorized entrance, we have millions of immigrants because our economy depends on the work of these Mexicans. People do not only lose their lives, but we are also destroying their lifestyle. We have removed their sacred places, traditions. Vigilantes and other 'hate' groups have arisen. There is no more Charity! Our economy is in crisis and in the mean time the speculators make money off of the border. This is how it is today.”
I have been in this area for several days. The natural beauty and landscape is breathtaking. The people are extremely cordial. But behind the scenes, as in any theatrical performance, everything is quite other. These is no mistaking it. The stage movements have their timing. The public is supposed to applaud at the drop of the curtain. This is what it is like here. You do not realize anything until you find someone who tells you what is behind the backdrop that you couldn't take your eyes off of. The sounds of nature. The heat of the earth. The pure air that fills your lungs. You do not realize anything until you find someone who will tell you what is really behind the wall, the network of borders, and beyond this, where there lies the oldest Constitution willed by its citizens, based on their rights to freedom and democracy. (Luca De Mata) (television program trailer “La valigia con lo spago”: a series of 4 programs: an investigation into migratory flows and new slavery in the world: Rai Uno July 20th , 2nd evening feature). (Agenzia Fides 14/7/2009)
