Tohono O'odham on pilgrimage concerned over drug cartels
By Brenda Norrell
Update: Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008
SELLS, Arizona -- Tohono O'odham Nation family members remained worried about their loved ones on pilgrimage to Magdalena de Kino, Sonora, Mexico, Friday, after O'odham telephoned home with reports of gunfire from competing drug cartels on the pilgrimage route on Thursday.
There were also reports of cartel threats that a church would be bombed in Magdalena, the site of a religious festival, the annual San Francisco Xavier Festival over the weekend. O'odham on pilgrimage were walking 60 miles from the border to Magdalena.
However as the commemoration culminated on Saturday and Sunday, there were no reports of violence in the region of Magdalena or the O'odham villages in Mexico.
As concerns increased on Friday, an O'odham telephoned Censored News by way of a cell phone and said O'odham in both Magdalena, and villages south of San Miguel the Gate in the state of Sonora, Mexico, reported that there were no problems. O'odham reported that they had not witnessed any violence or trouble on the routes or in the communities.
Spanish language newspapers in the state of Sonora attempted to eliminate fears. The Spanish language El Imparcial online stated that no reports of violence were confirmed in the area. The newspaper also published the travel advisory statement issued by the Tohono O'odham Nation, advising O'odham against travel in Mexico at this time.
http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/03102008/331470.aspx
On Thursday, the Tohono Oodham Nation sent vans to Sonora, Mexico, offering an option to O'odham on pilgrimage to return home. Tohono O'odham Chairman Ned Norris issued a statement and discouraged O'odham from traveling in Mexico.
"We strongly advise members of the nation to not travel in Mexico," Chairman Norris said.
On Thursday evening, fears circulated through the Tohono O'odham Nation, as family members walked to Magdalena. The same day, an emergency worker with the Tohono O'odham Nation said it was unknown whether Tohono O'odham were killed as they walked on pilgrimage from the US border to Magdalena for the San Francisco Xavier Festival. Some O'odham returned home from the 60-mile pilgrimage, while others remained on pilgrimage or unaccounted for on Thursday.
The Tohono O'odham Nation radio station, KOHN-FM in Sells, Arizona, reported Thursday night that some O'odham were arriving home and medical attention was available. Tohono O'odham family members can call 520-383-8867 for information on loved ones.
Earlier Thursday, Tohono O'odham in Magdalena called friends and relatives back home in Sells and reported deaths on the pilgrimage route, from drug cartels crossfire.
However, no confirmed reports were received concerning gunfire at Santa Ana, on the pilgrimage route between the border and Magdalena. Still, fears increased with reports of bomb threats for a Magdalena church.
O'odham, Yaqui and thousands of others attend the annual gathering San Francisco Xavier Festival each year.
Reporting from the border, Michel Marizco, publisher of Border Reporter, reported late Thursday that there was gunfire by narco traffickers at Santa Ana.
Marizco writes, "... local drug dealing gang, Los Jabalíes, got into a gunfight with another crew early this morning in Santa Ana ..."
While some O'odham returned home, others remained in Magdalena and the state of Sonora.
Although violence and bloodbaths linked to drug trafficking has increased to the west of Magdalena, in Tijuana and the state of Sinoloa, and to the east of Magdalena, along the Texas border, this region of Sonora has been relatively peaceful.
Arizona Daily Star
Published: 10.03.2008
Fearing cartels, O'odham move tribal pilgrims out of Sonora By Enric Volante
Tohono O'odham leaders began transporting tribe members making a religious pilgrimage out of Sonora on Thursday because of concerns for their safety and urged other members not to enter the violence-plagued area. The tribe sent 20 vans Thursday afternoon to pick up members who wanted to return to Arizona from Magdalena, Sonora, because of recent violence in the area and reported threats of more violence from drug cartels. The religious celebration is expected to draw thousands of people to a small church in Magdalena this weekend. http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/260576
Related: Mexico deadly for journalists
Special Report from the Committee to protect journalists
"Mexico is already one of the world's deadliest nations for journalists, with 21 killed since 2000, at least seven in direct reprisal for their work."
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