Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Arturo ‘The Tree Man’ has marched all over the continent

Arturo Malvido Conway has become something of a celebrity by attending marches in his tree outfit all over North America for the past 40 years. His initial campaigns focussed on environmental matters but since the murder of his brother, Rafael, 23 years ago, he has also been campaigning to end violence, corruption and impunity. 

“The Tree,” as he is called, talks to me as he walks the 12-kilometer stretch of road from Cuernavaca to Mexico City on the first leg of a march for peace in January. His efforts include petitioning United States President Trump to stop selling arms to Mexico and distributing cards to raise awareness for gun violence. 

Arturo’s description of violence verges on poetic. “Each one of us is a leaf,” he says, “nobody can come and pull us out. We should only die when God says we will die.”  He goes on to say that “violence is chopping the head off liberty.” 

When asked about progress, the Tree shakes his head and says how hard it has been.  He believes that the real crime is in the way that the Mexican government applies the law. “In the United States, if you commit a crime you go to jail, even if you were the son of the president. Here they do anything they can to protect the criminals. That is not fair.”

Arturo’s two-pronged solution for change is clear and simple. “Firstly, we must educate our people in the school of peace; secondly, the state should be tougher to protect us from criminals — while respecting their human rights.” 

Mexico News Daily

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.

What’s on in Yucatán and the Riviera Maya in July?

0
Swim, sweat, savor and get in touch with your spiritual side as we take a look at some of the coolest activities in the region this month.
A man with a smiling expression and sunglasses pushed up on his head stands behind a counter at an outdoor key-making stand. Behind him, numerous keys are hanging, and the word "CERRAJERIA" (locksmith) is visible on the counter in yellow letters.

Trading Zihuatanejo’s bustle for a quieter life in a small Mexican town

5
Longtime Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo resident Elisabeth Ashe recently built herself a home in the small nearby town of El Coacoyul. It's been both an adjustment and a discovery.

What’s on in Mexico City in July 2025?

0
Discover everything from internationally touring art exhibits to intimate Buddhist celebrations going on in the nation's capital coming up in July.