Mennonite Central Committee

Jodi Read is an Associate for Migration and Peacebuilding for West Coast MCC. Since 2006, Jodi has participated and organized MCC delegations on the Migrant Trail. Drawing on her past experiences, this is what Jodi shared with us:

Why did you participate in the MT?

In the first year, I had just heard of the Migrant Trail and I didn’t really know much about it. I participated to understand what the walk was all about, and to get to know folks in the area working on similar issues.

Why was your participation important?

It wasn’t until I was actually on the walk that I understood. During the time in the desert, I was able to reflect on the thousands of people who have walked where I was walking, and reflect on the lives lost. It was an amazingly hard experience—difficult realizations to come by that you don’t get from being in an office or even just talking with people who have made the journey.

What most surprised you?

How difficult it was for my feet and body, even though I was given so much (food, water, a place to sleep, etc), without fearing for my safety and life. Yet, it was still so hard and incredibly humbling despite having all of that.

How did you connect this with advocacy to lawmakers?

After my second year of participation, I visited Congresspersons in Washington D.C. As a small group, we were able to share what we had seen and experienced on the trail: the seemingly overbearing presence of Border Patrol vehicles, personnel and equipment, military convoys which passed us traveling between Three Points and Sasabe and a nerve wracking fly over of Border Patrol helicopter on an early morning walk. We also saw border militarization in terms of radio towers, checkpoints and sensors.

What did you ask of Congress?

I asked them to consider the root causes of migration and our US trade policies, which impact why so many people make the arduous trip to the US. I also expressed my opposition to the wall, which will only cause more death in the borderlands instead of making the US more “secure” which is theoretically why it is being built. I encouraged lawmakers to realize that border communities are militarized zones.

What is your advice to future participants?

Prepare for an emotionally, spiritually and physically- draining week. You will need lots of energy for the task ahead. Walking an hour a day before the trip will help you. Be ready to participate with a large group!