FM4 Paso Libre

by Joseph Smooke

These photographs portray the landscape migrants experience while traveling through Guadalajara, the human consequence of the journey, and the essential network of volunteer support that provides for migrants able to continue on, or who have become stuck because of injury. The landscape of the tracks is relentless and perilous. The trains represent hope and conveyance to a new world of opportunity, but they also are a brutal force that in an instant can turn on the traveler causing severe injury or death. Migrants find each other, camp together, search for food, and network to find support. Ultimately, each has their own individual quest, however, and most seem to be traveling toward some vague destination to meet a friend or family member they know has made it to a place called Las Vegas or Vancouver.

The organization FM4 Paso Libre is a group of volunteers in Guadalajara, Mexico working tirelessly on behalf of migrants meeting once a week to coordinate their outreach activities; procure donations of medicine, clothes and food; visit injured migrants in the hospital; support volunteers who live along the rail tracks; track and bring attention to the human rights abuses suffered by migrants. They are currently working to secure official NGO status. They do not have any national or international support for their work.

Being able to use my artistic and professional abilities to further work being done for social justice and on behalf of human rights is my passion and life work. Migration is an international issue that results in tremendous sacrifice and suffering for both those traveling and those left behind. These photographs have the potential to support FM4 Paso Libre, and to bring awareness to destructive immigration policies and devastating impacts of wealth accumulation for the few and resulting poverty for so many.

Joseph Smooke On behalf of FM4 Paso Libre