### Request for Walls to Display Photos of the Missing
In a bid to bring more visibility to the pressing issue of missing persons, search collectives in Baja California are urging the state government to install a dedicated wall in each municipality. The purpose of these walls is to display photographs of the missing, making them accessible to the families and communities affected. Initially, these activist groups, led by Paula Sandoval, President of Familiares Unidos Buscando a Nuestros Desaparecidos de Baja California, hope to see the first wall established in Tijuana.
Sandoval highlighted the importance of having a place to “put the face of our missing loved ones and make visible the ones who are missing from our homes.” The collectives propose that the wall should be located in central areas such as Boulevard Insurgentes, Zona Río, or Zona Centro, to ensure that families can easily contribute to the memorial.
The request was made outside the State Search Commission office in Tijuana. Despite wanting to place photographs inside the Commission’s premises, access was denied, prompting the groups to exhibit the photos outside as a form of protest. The collectives also demanded a meeting with Baja California’s Governor, Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, to address pending issues related to the State Search Commission’s efforts in resolving cases of disappearances.
### Additional News: The Rise in Search Collective Movements
The surge in search collective activities within Baja California is a direct response to the escalating number of disappearances in the region. Estimates indicate that there are approximately 30,000 missing persons in the state. The collectives are advocating for the establishment of municipal search units to enhance local efforts in finding these individuals.
Efforts to address this crisis have faced numerous obstacles, including bureaucratic challenges and insufficient resources allocated by both municipal and state authorities. Activists argue that more needs to be done to prioritize the resolution of missing persons cases and provide support to affected families.
In response, calls have intensified for clearer policies and increased funding dedicated to search operations, with suggestions for local government units to streamline procedures and collaborate more effectively with state-level bodies.
Meetings with recently appointed municipal leaders are underway, aiming to foster cooperative relations that could potentially lead to improved strategies and outcomes in the ongoing search for the missing across Baja California.