Rodrigo Cervantes/KJZZ

Adrián (from left) and Bryan LeBarón talk to the press during a meeting with parents of cancer victims and Amnesty International in March 2020.

MEXICO CITY — A community in northern Mexico where nine women and children were attacked and murdered last year wants justice, but also solutions from the government and more autonomy for themselves. 

Members from the LeBarón community in Sonora, Mexico, are asking the government to give them recognition as an independent religious and cultural group to be able to defend themselves.

”We cannot afford to have another tragedy in our community; we need additional legal rights and support,” said Bryan Lebarón.

He said his community is also asking for more protection from the authorities, even for the presence of the national guard. He says families are still being attacked and some local authorities work with criminal groups. 

LeBarón says they’re also pushing to stop electricity shortages. He says the government’s power company is not providing full service, despite the LeBarons paying for it.