Photo essay: One-year Anniversary of the Death of José Antonio Elena Rodríguez

José Antonio Elena Rodríguez has been dead for a year, but a binational march along both sides of the Mexico-U.S. boundary marking the anniversary made it clear that he is far from forgotten. On Friday, October 10, nearly 100 people in Nogales, Sonora and over 100 people in Nogales, Arizona chanted, sang and marched past the site in Mexico where the 16-year-old was shot and killed by at least one Border Patrol agent. The march then continued to a point along the border wall where people on both sides of the international divide shared memories of the tragedy and words of encouragement for the hard work ahead in the fight for justice for the young man and his family.

For a more detailed explanation of the case, click here. All photos by Murphy Woodhouse.

Friends and family of José Antonio march north toward the border wall and the site where the 16-year-old was shot and killed.

José Antonio’s brother Diego carries his son-in-law Román during the anniversary march.

Protesters carrying a painting of José Antonio a block south of the border wall.

Protesters walking west along border wall on Calle Internacional, just a block from where José Antonio was shot.

A protester marching in solidarity on the US side reaches an image of José Antonio through the border wall.

A person on the US side holds a candle to José Antonio’s image while another places a sticker with his likeness on the wall.

A cross marks the spot on Calle Internacional where José Antonio died.

Before the march, activists pasted posters of José Antonio along the border wall. The message reads, “Justice for José Antonio.”

Murphy Woodhouse is an MA student at the University of Arizona’s Center for Latin American Studies. His research interests include migration, deportation, U.S. immigration enforcement, and the Mexican drug war.