In a file photo, Dixie State, now Utah Tech, student Kaylani Young assembles a stand for one of 43 life-size statues representing one of Mexico City University’s students in 2014, St. George, Utah, Sept. 14, 2021 | Photo by David Dudley, St. George News
ST. george – In conjunction with Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month, Utah Tech University is expanding its “Remember the 43 Students” memorial to honor the lives of the 43 students who disappeared on September 26, 2014, southwest of Mexico City.
As part of the event, more than 100 Mexican policemen, soldiers, and militants from a rural teachers’ college were escorted by 5 buses and another bus of a third division soccer team. Apart from the 43 missing students, 6 people were killed and more than 40 were injured.
This year, Utah Tech’s awards to the 43 students included two works of art and two guest speakers, the university announced in a news release.
“As the eighth anniversary of the atrocity approaches, supporting justice is even more important,” said Stephen Lee, associate dean and associate dean of Utah Tech’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “I hope visitors engage with the issues of political violence and economic inequality with their heads and hearts.”
Portraits of each of the 43 students, created by Scottish artist Jan Nimmo, are on display in the lobby of Utah Tech’s Dolores Dore Eccles Art Center. Nemo, who traveled extensively in Guerrero before his disappearance, to document the work of local artisans, created a series of portraits to emphasize the human side of the victims.
Returning from last year, 43 life-size figures will be displayed on the second floor of Holland Central Commons on the Utah Tech campus. Each figure represents one of the students and includes a brief biography of the individual and information about the incident.
Both art installations will be on display in the Eccles lobby until September 30.
Also as part of the tribute, investigative journalists Anayansi Diaz-Cortez and Kate Doyle will speak Monday at 4 p.m. in the Zion Room on the fifth floor of Holland Central Commons on the Utah Tech campus. Diaz-Cortes and Doyle are lead reporters on the “After Ayotzinapa” podcast and radio show.
The “Remember the Alumni of 43” art installation and events are open to the community. More information about the Utah Tech memorial and the forced disappearance of its students can be found on this website.
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