Protesters 'don't want them here'
By Anne Krueger
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

July 24, 2005

CAMPO – A group of civilian border watchers and those who oppose them are maintaining an uneasy truce in the second weekend of a project to focus attention on the border problems in San Diego County's backcountry.

Jim Chase, a retired Oceanside postal worker who is leading a loosely organized group watching the border, said yesterday the effort that began a week ago has been effective in halting illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

"We are very successful. People can't get by us," he said. He said the watchers have spotted dozens of people who came to the border fence but didn't attempt to cross when they saw they were being observed.

A group of protesters staying in tents near the steel fences that mark the border vowed to remain until the group known as the California Minutemen leaves.

"We don't want them here," said Vicente Rodriguez of San Diego. "These men are armed and they want to wrap themselves with the flag of patriotism and build their organization."

Law enforcement officers said the area was peaceful, with no incidents reported.

Chase has promised to keep a group of civilians along the border at least until Aug. 7. Roughly 40 people participated yesterday, with more expected.

Stewart Reeves of Oceanside, a manager with the Minutemen, said the participants call the Border Patrol if they observe people trying to cross the border or other suspicious activity.

An incident Friday night in which a pregnant young woman went into labor on the Mexican side of the border was seen from different perspectives by the border watchers and the protesters. Paramedics arrived on the United States side of the border and took the woman to a hospital.

Reeves said the incident was a diversion to distract Border Patrol agents from other illegal activity taking place along the border. One of the protesters, Michela Saucedo of San Diego, said the authorities showed compassion.

"When this woman was giving birth, there was no fence," Saucedo said. "At that moment, they don't think if she was illegal or not. That was humanity."

Members of the border-watch group said they saw their involvement in the Minutemen as a way to protect the United States.

"I love my country and I want to do anything I can for the country I love," said Ken Lester, a 75-year-old retired truck driver from Chula Vista.

Jeff Schwilk of Oceanside said he became interested in the Minutemen after seeing a news report about a similar group's activities along the border in Arizona.

"As soon as I saw what they were doing, I said, 'If they ever do this in California, I'm there,' " Schwilk said.

Arne and Sharrie Chandler, a retired couple who live in Temecula, arrived in Campo yesterday after spending three weeks with border watchers in Arizona.

Arne Chandler said he was concerned that terrorists were slipping across the border, not just people who were coming to the United States for work.

"We're not worried about the grape pickers. We're worried about the terrorists," he said. "We're here for our grandkids, to change things for them."

Chase said he has had confrontations with some residents who live by the border and didn't want the civilian watchers on their property.

But Debra Benjamin, a waitress at the Campo Diner, echoed the sentiments of several Campo residents who said the steady stream of immigrants in the area has disappeared since the border watchers showed up.

"I'm glad they're here," she said. "It's difficult for the Border Patrol to keep up with the traffic. There are too many getting through."

Anne Krueger: (619) 593-4962; anne.krueger@uniontrib.com
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http://www.americanpatrol.com/05-FEATUR ... ation.html

Americans Heading for Campo

July 6, 2005

Meeting with USBP, BLM Law Enforcement, US Forest Service, California Highway Patrol and 7 independent Agents from California Minutemen went very well.

What came out of it:

First of all the USBP wants all the calls to go to USBP Campo, CA station only 619 662-7321 Calls about illegal aliens to accidents. Call them.

When you set into your position, please call USBP to let them know where you are and the vehicle you are driving because there are USBP agents driving around out there. If you encounter a BP agent say Minutemen and keep your hands in plain sight.

Be sure you display the dash ID we give you when out on the line or anywhere you may cross the path of USBP. Be polite and show CMM ID card if asked.

The Border Road and the first 60 feet belongs to everyone, says BLM and President Theodore Roosevelt. Just be sure others can pass you.

Most of our positions are on private or BLM land. California legal weapons OK. Do not remove a hand gun from a holster unless you are being felony assaulted.

BLM Law Enforcement is fine with us wearing and carrying California legal weapons on BLM. So are most private border ranch owners. No weapons in Jacumba area as we will be close to homes. Store in your vehicle properly.

You can camp for 14 days on BLM. No fires. No charcoal Barbeque. No off road in vehicles save turn outs and such. BLM is between Power Towers 121-123 and 139-149.

(edited; see link for addtional information)