Protesting policeman, Juarez -March 2008
photograph by Julian Cardona
Photo and story by Julian Cardona
March 31, 2008
About 50 Juárez police officers protested what they consider the arbitrary arrests of fellow officers by the recently arrived Mexican army in ciudad Juarez. They were protesting the alleged framing of numerous officers on charges of drug possession.
State and municipal police agents have been the target of many executions since January 2008. They have allegedly been involved in the drug trade, and the executions are related to these accusations. In March, the army acted against both corporations (state and municipal police) in the streets, which lead to several events where soldiers harassed and shot at police or where policemen were arrested.
To avoid retaliation, the agents covered their faces during the demonstration.
The protest was held at the Juarez Police Headquarters (Estación Babícora) at 10 PM (at the end of the shift), March 31.
There have been over 600 homicides since Jan.1, 2008, thought to be related to a war for the drug consumer in Juarez.
Editor’s note: For more work by the esteemed photographer Julian Cardona, find his work in the Border Blog’s blogroll (right column), or, go to www.juliancardona.net
