Hands Across El Rio

Firedoglake guest blogger Marisa Trevino brings news of an interesting upcoming event called Hands Across El Rio.

Spanning 16 days, 1,250 miles, it's a protest that involves Americans and Mexicans forming human chains across the international bridges, daily binational press conferences and the launch of a flotilla of kayaks, canoes and inner tubes that will paddle down the Rio Grande to each international bridge to join the protests in progress.

Longtime border residents are saying they've never seen anything like this before in their lives and the consensus, from both sides of the border, is that this is a historic event.

But what is really amazing is that these organizers, for the most part, are average residents who have felt forced to make their voices heard. Because so many have never participated in a protest, the organizers are sending out a plea for assistance.

The itinerary is here. The first event begins next Saturday, August 25, in El Paso. In the interim, they're looking for writers, photographers, and anyone else who can help them chronicle the events. Check it out, and if you're in their area, give them a hand.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 16, 2007 to National news