Caravan for Peace begins journey across US

(update 8-13) The Caravan is expected to arrive in Los Angeles this afternoon. The first stop will be Our Lady Queens of Angels, 535 N. Main St. here's what they looked like stepping off early today in San Diego:

(San Diego 8-12) Today the long journey begins at the border between the US and Mexico, South of San Diego, with plans to arrive in Washington DC on September 12. The Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity was concieved by Mexican poet Javier Sicilia when his son died in the crossfire of the "war on drugs" several months ago. In June, the caravan crossed Mexico with the goal of raising public awareness of the failed "war on drugs".

"It's a war that no longer distinguishes. Any Mexican can be assassinated, can be a victim of crime or repression,” said Sicilia.

Annually, more than a billion dollars from the US fuels this effort while problems multiply.

The caravan will stop in at least 20 cities along the way. This photo from the initial journey was taken by David Acosta of borderzine.com on June 14th - today's photo at top is from Jose Luis Jiménez of fronterasdesk.org

INDYRADIO