March 26, 2017
Amid a rash of killings of journalists throughout Mexico, friends and colleagues came out to march in Mexico City in their honor Saturday, March 26, and to stand for freedom of the media.
Attendance at the rally was estimated to be around 100.
The demonstrators convened outside the Mexican Attorney General’s Office and demanded increased protections for journalists and help with security for families of the victims.
Luis Baron, photographer from the Mexican Prensa said, “Regrettably the inaction in any state in the country in which journalists are injured or any undermining the freedom of expression is plain. Nothing happens.”
Among the journalists recognized were the late Miroslava Breach of Chihuahua state, Cecilio Pineda of Guerrero state, and Ricardo Monlui of Veracruz state.
The murder of Monlui came after the discovery of some 300 human remains in mass graves in Veracruz. The state is a battleground for rival cartels in a bitter turf war.
The recent victim is Miroslava Breach who reported on organized crime for La Jornada. She was killed in March in Chihuahua. A note was reportedly left on her car, “for being a loudmouth.”
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least six reporters have been killed for their work since 2010 in Veracruz alone.
In all Mexico, 122 journalists have been killed since 2000, according to the country’s National Commission on Human Rights.
Protesters also marched for the 43 male students who were victims of the 2014 Iguala mass killing.
