Pink crosses covered along papal route

Cars pass by pink crosses and pictures of missing girls every day in Cd. Juarez. One group of mothers, calling themselves ‘Al encuentro con Francisco’, ‘Encountering Francis their daughters murdered or missing, decided to paint large crosses on the papal route.

“It was important for us mothers that the Pope see Juarez is still victim to kidnappings and femicides,” said Perla Reyes, whose daughter went missing three years ago.
But the crosses added Monday were painted over by Tuesday afternoon, whoever did it is still unknown.

“It made us sad and angry to see someone would cover the crosses, as if they were erasing the missing girls themselves,” Reyes said.

Although most of the newly-painted crosses are covered up the message wasn’t lost. The group was able to get a packet of letters to the pope describing how families have been torn apart when daughters have gone missing. Activist Yadira Cortes considered it a significant victory

“We wanted the visit to be more than ceremonial, to have it inspire and generate substantial change in the city,” Cortes said.

Change some say could come with prayer.

“We’ll always have faith that God will help us find our daughters alive and well,” Reyes said.

For now they stand behind their battle cry: not one more, not one more, not one more
Reporting from Cd. Juarez, Julio-Cesar Chavez, ABC-7