Citizens, family members, friends, and teachers of the children Alexander and Gael Sarmiento Ruiz, as well as their father, Antonio de Jesús Sarmiento, demonstrated in Culiacán, Sinaloa, demanding justice for their murder and against violence in the state. Dressed in white, with balloons and banners, they marched from Aguilar Barraza street to the center of Culiacán.
The signs they carried had messages such as "No more innocent victims" and "We demand justice for Gael, Alexander, and their father." The phrase "Not with the children" also appeared, evoking a remark used by the wife of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador in 2018. The slogans were directed against the governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, and his party, whom they blame for the crisis of violence in the region.
After expressing their discontent, the protesters released white balloons into the sky and paid tribute to the family victimized by the violence that has plagued Sinaloa since September 9. The wave of violence has left more than 994 homicides, 462 investigation files, and over 239 missing persons in the last four months.
Alexander, 9 years old, his brother Gael, 12 years old, and their father, Antonio de Jesús, 40 years old, were shot on Sunday, January 19, in Culiacán. The family was ambushed by an armed group while traveling in their vehicle, in an apparent failed carjacking attempt. The protesters demand justice and an end to the violence in the region.
