What: Parents and supporters of the 43 Ayotzinapa students that went missing in Iguala, Mexico will visit Fresno March 28-29. Fresno is one of many stops of the Caravana 43 (Caravan 43) tour of the United States traveling throughout the West Coast, South, Midwest, and East Coast. Caravana 43 parents will host a press conference at California State University Fresno – Peace Garden at 11:00 a.m., followed by a free public forum in the Grosse Industrial Technology Bldg. 101. Caravana 43 parents and supporters will hold a vigil that same day at the Mexican Consulate of Fresno at 5:00 p.m.

Why: With the arrival of the Caravana 43, it will be 6 months since the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students. Although many have been prosecuted for directly ordering the disappearance like former Mayor of Iguala Jose Luis Abarca and his wife Maria de Los Angeles de Pineda, the students have not been found. Their family and friends continue to seek answers and justice.  The Mexican Federal Government officially declared the death of the 43 students when the state police turned them in to the “organized crime group”.  International investigations have countered the official report and the public outcry continues claiming that the federal army is in complicity with the Government of President Enrique Peña Nieto. The parents of the 43 students go beyond just claiming the direct responsibility of the federal government.  The U.S. Government also has a lot to do with the violence against social leaders and students who come out in the public to talk about the systemic problems facing Mexico.  The economic support the U.S. sends through the Merida Plan to, supposedly, fight against drugs, the Mexican government uses to suppress social leaders, students and news reporter for opposing all the economic reforms launched by the government to privatize everything, including the most sacred liquid for human being, water.