The 43

"43 missing. It was the the State."

A lot of people expressed concern to us about moving to Mexico and I understand why. Mexico has a pretty bad reputation for crime. Part of this reputation is fueled by the media but part of it is earned. What many people don't realize is that the most serious crime is perpetuated not by banditos anxious to rob gringos, but by political corruption intertwined with the drug cartels.

"I will fight today because I don't want
to see you die tomorrow."

Photos of the 43 missing students.

"Punish those responsible for the massacre in Ayotzinapa."

Shortly after we arrived I started seeing signs in the Zocalo (main square) about Ayotzinapa - "Tu dolor es nuestro dolor," "Nos faltan 43," "Todos somos Ayotzinapa." We hadn't been keeping up on the news but little by little the news came to us, through peaceful protests around the city, the images of 43 serious-looking young men posted to walls, and messages delivered via ink, paint and sand.

"Your struggle is my struggle, Your pain is my pain,
They were taken alive, We want them back alive."

Written in sand on the Andador (pedestrian street): We don't
want a "buen fin" we want justice. El buen fin is similar
to Black Friday in the U.S., the start of holiday shopping.

In the town of Ayotzinapa, in the neighboring state of Guerrero, there is a school for teachers known as a Normal school. These schools train teachers to work with poor rural populations. Students are called Normalistas. On Sept. 26 many Normalistas were protesting in Iguala, Guerrero. Two were shot outright, and 43 were taken away by police and have not been seen since.

"43 missing."

There is a history of antagonism between the students of Ayotzinapa and Iguala's elite. The students are portrayed by business and political leaders as trouble-makers for frequent protests against corruption, poverty and lack of funds for education. Meanwhile, the wife of Iguala's mayor is part of a well-known drug cartel family. It is believed that she ordered that the students (who were protesting a speech she was giving) be handed over to the drug gang Guerroros Unidos. She and her husband fled and were recently arrested in Mexico City.

Last week Mexico's attorney general released videotaped confessions of several drug gang members telling how they carried out the executions of the 43. The remains have yet to be identified. Mexico officially lists 22,322 people missing since the start of the country's drug war in 2006.

As Americans we feel very safe here in Oaxaca. I realize that I could have my purse stolen but I also know that could happen (and has) in Minneapolis. And I know worse things could happen. But the people who have the most to fear in Mexico are the Mexicans trying to improve their situations who have the misfortune to cross paths with drug gangs - or those who are supposed to protect and serve the people: the politicians and police.