Former Governor Leads September 11th Peace March

Wednesday September 11, 2002

By Timmy Smith, Las Cruces Herald of Truth Staff Writer

 

Las Cruces, NM – To mark the first anniversary of the terrorist attack that destroyed the World Trade Center, several hundred peace activists, led by former New Mexico governor Toney Anaya, marched from the Pan American Center in Las Cruces to the Mesilla town plaza.  Along the way, the marchers sang John Lennon songs and chanted peace slogans. 

When the procession arrived at the Mesilla town plaza, two hundred white doves were released.  “The doves are a symbol of our desire for peace”, said Anaya, who was delivering an address when the doves were released.  The doves circled the plaza and flew over an adjacent field of corn.  A group of about twenty local hunters, who were hidden in the cornfield shot and ate the doves.

Mesilla town marshall Miguel Pequeno stated that the hunters were acting legally when they shot the doves since dove hunting season is in progress.