Hundreds Join Prayer Rally For 43 Students Who Went Missing In Mexico

Hundreds Join Prayer Rally For 43 Students Who Vanished In Mexico
Drawings of some of 43 missing students are surrounded by flower petals, formimg the shape of a heart, during a protest marking the six-month anniversary of their disappearance, in Mexico City, Thursday, March 26, 2015. Angry citizens and parents of the 43 missing students urged the country not to abandon them. On Thursday, the Attorney General's Office issued a statement reiterating that the government had conducted a transparent and exhaustive investigation. Federal investigators say local police handed the students over to a drug gang, which killed them and incinerated their remains. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Drawings of some of 43 missing students are surrounded by flower petals, formimg the shape of a heart, during a protest marking the six-month anniversary of their disappearance, in Mexico City, Thursday, March 26, 2015. Angry citizens and parents of the 43 missing students urged the country not to abandon them. On Thursday, the Attorney General's Office issued a statement reiterating that the government had conducted a transparent and exhaustive investigation. Federal investigators say local police handed the students over to a drug gang, which killed them and incinerated their remains. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

BOSTON (AP) — Relatives of some of the 43 students who vanished in Mexico last September rallied with supporters in Boston on Sunday as part of a national tour to call attention to their plight.

Pedro Morales, one of the Boston organizers, says hundreds of people attended a noon Mass at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in East Boston, followed by a march and prayer rally.

The names of the missing students were read at the rally, along with those of Roman Catholic priests killed in drug violence, and white balloons were released.

Relatives say the missing students have not been seen since Sept. 26. Prosecutors allege they were stopped by police in the city of Iguala and turned over to a drug gang which killed them and incinerated their remains.

The students attended a radical rural teachers college in Guerrero state and went to Iguala to hijack buses. The Mexican government has said it is committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

Relatives and supporters are urging U.S. officials to pressure Mexico to do more to end drug violence.

The relatives plan a major rally April 28 in New York City.

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