Protest for Lomas del Poleo, El Paso-Jan. 2008
It was only a year ago that the plight of the people of Lomas del Poleo was the highest priority of cross border activist politics. The people were systematically being robbed of their land, their court actions were, basically, being stonewalled, the injustice of the top to the bottom was blatant and a coalition of forces stepped up and, on this day did, a bi-national protest at the Mexican Counsulate in El Paso and the Mexican Counsulate in Jaurez.
That seems like long ago.
Since then the attorney for the people of Lomas was assasinated, the murders in Juarez have shifted the focus from the hope of justice to nearly a daily struggle to service, be safe, get through and the basic utilities of water and electricity have ceased for the people of Lomas del Poleo.
New Years’ are a pretext to dream. Right?
This year is a time to re-think the situation of Lomas, to reconsider ways in which to aid the people of Lomas, and, obviously, to understand that the plight of the people of Lomas del Poleo is part of the current problems of Juarez.
No matter what, Lomas is a place where the issues are clear, sourrounded by a city of opacity and mist.
How’s that for an irony?
