FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Erin Cox
May 9, 2007 (773 391 0040)
Ecox2 (at) luc.edu

LOCAL CHICAGO RESIDENT TRAVELS TO ARIZONA BORDERLANDS WITH PEACEMAKER DELEGATION


Erin Cox, a graduate student at Loyola University, travels to Arizona on Thursday, May 24th as part of a delegation sponsored by Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). More than 200 migrants have died in the Arizona borderlands over each of the past two years, as tightened borders have lead economic migrants to risk their lives in the inhospitable desert. Douglas, Arizona, where CPT’s seasonal presence has beenbased, is considered the most militarized city in the U.S. because of large presence of U.S. Border Patrol agents. Anti-immigrant vigilantes have been active in the region as well.

Members of the CPT delegation will monitor human rights, engage in violence-deterrence activities, and confront unjust immigration policies through non-violent public witness. They will also meet on both sides of the border with human rights groups, governmental officials, and individuals affected by immigration policies.

Cox will return on Monday, June 4th ready to share what she has learned about the challenges facing the people of the Arizona border region.

Christian Peacemaker Teams is an initiative of the historic peace churches (Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and Quakers) with support and membership from a range of Catholic and Protestant denominations. CPT send teams of trained peacemakers to places of conflict around the world, with a seasonal presence in the Arizona borderlands since May, 2004. For more information about CPT contact the Chicago office at 773-277-0253, email peacemakers (at) cpt.org.