No More Deaths , Human Rights and Immigration Reform

Tonight we welcome two volunteers Brenna Daldorph and Sonya Navarro from the No More Deaths Organization. These two young women have been directly working with No More Deaths to end death and suffering on the U.S./Mexico border through civil initiative. The mission of No More Deaths began with the conviction that people of conscience must work openly and in community to uphold fundamental human rights. A morally intolerable situation inspired a remarkable humanitarian movement in Southern Arizona in the spring of 2004. Driven by economic inequality, thwarted by ill-conceived US border policy, and ignorant of the harsh conditions of the Sonoran Desert, more than 2000 men, women, and children have died trying to cross the Mexican border into the United States since 1998. The information brought to light by the No More Deaths organization shows that most of the deaths occurred in the brutal heat of the summer months. Diverse faith-based and social activist groups—along with concerned individuals—felt compelled to act to stem the death tide and attempt to save at least some lives. The result was the converging of hundreds of volunteers—local, regional and national—who came together to work for one common goal: No Más Muertes: No More Deaths. The work of No More Deaths embraces the Faith-Based Principles for Immigration Reform and focuses on • direct aid that extends the right to provide humanitarian assistance as well witnessing and responding and raising global awareness which will ultimately encourage a more humane immigration policy.