http://www.dakotavoice.com/200510/20051011_5.asp

10/11/2005

Border Patrol Recruits Own “Minutemen� In Great Lakes Area
Fishermen, boaters asked to report suspicious activities

TOMBSTONE, AZ (October 10, 2005) – The U.S. Border Patrol, in a nod to the success of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps (“MCDC�) border watch efforts, is asking boaters and fishermen on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to report to authorities suspicious activities they observe on the waterways.

In a report that aired October 6th, Fox News Channel’s Todd Conner revealed that undermanned Border Patrol agents are handing out business cards with Border Patrol contact information to boaters and fishermen seeking help in spotting potential terrorists, smugglers and illegal aliens trying to cross into New York State.

Chris Simcox, President of MCDC, issued the following statement in response to this new Border Patrol effort:

“When we started the Minuteman movement in April, we were inaccurately termed ‘racists’ and ‘vigilantes.’ Others said everyday Americans should leave the borders to the undermanned Border Patrol. Yet we answered President Bush’s own call for Americans to be vigilant after the terror attacks of 9/11. It would appear that Congress and now some areas of Border Patrol bureaucracy have recognized the success of our effort. We have always enjoyed support from agents patrolling at the borders.

“We hope that the President and Border Patrol leadership across the country will now realize that the Minutemen are doing exactly what is being asked of those on the Great Lakes: help protect the United States and see that our laws are enforced. With terrorists threatening more attacks and international crime syndicates using large segments of our wide-open borders for illegal activity including drugs, arms and human trafficking, our government cannot afford to turn away citizens offering their assistance.�

MCDC is conducting a month-long border watch program this October called “Secure Our Borders.� An estimated four thousand trained Minuteman volunteers will participate in non-confrontational border watch efforts on America's northern and southern borders. Minutemen act as extra eyes and ears for the Border Patrol and will report directly to authorities any sightings of border crossings at other than legal ports of entry.