Thread: Human rights groups fear border `war'

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March 29, 2005
Human rights groups fear border `war'
By Arthur Rotstein
The Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. - Local human rights advocates hope to dissuade their allied organizations from confronting armed volunteers who will be watching for illegal border crossings in southeastern Arizona in April.
The Tucson-based Border Action Network is trying to persuade other groups not to send people to Douglas, Tombstone or other areas of Cochise County.

Volunteers from across the country are expected to gather in Tombstone on Friday for a rally and an orientation session organized by the Minutemen Project, a volunteer group that is rallying people to watch the border.

They'll disperse in small groups and set up observation posts across a 23-mile stretch just north of the Mexican border, mostly between Douglas and Naco.

Critics contend that its members are anti-immigrant racists and vigilantes looking to confront illegal immigrants. They say violence is likely since many volunteers are expected to be armed.

Minutemen organizers, however, contend that their effort is a political protest to draw media coverage that shows the federal government's failure to secure the porous Arizona-Mexico border from illegal immigration, drug smuggling and potential terrorist infiltration.

``We understand bringing attention to the border; we just prefer anybody do that without violence,'' said the Rev. Robin Hoover, founder of Humane Borders, which sets out water in the desert for border crossers.

"Though they say they aren't violent, the chemistry is certainly right for violence."

Jesus Romo, an attorney representing Border Action Network, said the California-based National Alliance for Human Rights wanted to bring in supporters to confront the Minutemen.

``We tried to dissuade them because we don't think it would be a good idea to focus on that kind of behavior,'' Romo said. ``And simply creating a confrontation would be counterproductive for everyone.''

Romo said Border Action has advised the alliance that it would be better for those who oppose the Minuteman to ``concentrate on the things we need, which is to file lawsuits, investigate the matter.''

The alliance plans a binational Solidarity Rally Against the Minuteman Project on Friday in Agua Prieta, across the border from Douglas.

Romo also was critical of efforts to organize a group of legal observers along the border to watch the watchers.

``It's best to leave those people alone and not get close to them because I believe they're dangerous, and it's in their best interest to create a confrontation to get media support,'' he said.

In some circumstances it is best not to do anything, and this is one of those circumstances, Romo said.

Ray Ybarra, a Stanford law school student, said at least 40 to 45 volunteers in Tucson and Phoenix have signed up to serve as legal observers, with others expected from California. They hope to deter any abuse with their presence and document any illegal activity.

Meanwhile, the Border Action Network is urging supporters to call Cochise County and federal legal officials ``to tell them to step up and do their job,'' Executive Director Jennifer Allen said.

She said Arizona law enforcement agencies created an ``atmosphere of impunity'' that encouraged private border watch groups to organize and ``to continue hate crime activities and breaking the law.''

An international human rights complaint also will be presented to the Organization of American States' Interamerican Commission on Human Rights this week accusing the United States of failing to prosecute vigilantism, she said.

Instead of getting angry, why don't we thank some of the well meaning contributors to this article?
Thanks to Rev. Hoover who states "we understand bringing attention to the border."
And we thought the pro-illegal crowd was clueless.

Thanks to Mr. Romo an attorney who advised one group against confronting the Minutemen.
He probably pointed out the simple fact that they would probably not find enough LEGAL supporters and demonstrating in an area saturated with law enforcement personnel might not be a very smart idea for an illegal.

Thanks to Border Action for suggesting to "concentrate of the things we need, which is to file lawsuits, investigate the matter."
You can start with employers who hire illegals and investigate why are immigration laws are not fully enforced.

Thanks to Ray Ybarra and his volunteers. They can certainly assist in documenting any illegal activity.
They can start with any individuals who are trying to sneak into the U.S. illegally. The Minutemen can always use more sets of eyes.

And finally, thanks to Ms. Allen who is urging Cochise County and federal legal officials to "step up and do their job" about this "atmosphere of impunity."
Yes, Ms. Allen, an "atmosphere of impunity" has been (and continues) created by not securing our borders and enforcing our immigration laws. Don't we all want to be secure in our own country?
Aren't the Minutemen exercising THEIR constitutional rights?

Critics contend that its members are anti-immigrant racists and vigilantes looking to confront illegal immigrants. They say violence is likely since many volunteers are expected to be armed.

Funny I don't hear a peep out of these clowns when border patrol agents and citizens are constantly attacked by illegal aliens, human smugglers, drug runners and the Mexican military. Where are the compassionate OBL when violence is occured from these vermin on an everyday basis?

``We understand bringing attention to the border; we just prefer anybody do that without violence,'' said the Rev. Robin Hoover, founder of Humane Borders, which sets out water in the desert for border crossers.

"Though they say they aren't violent, the chemistry is certainly right for violence."

These clowns are bellyaching about the MMP being armed. Well gee what do you think would happen if they were unarmed? It's simple. Illegals stay on their side of the fence, don't provoke the MMP and their won't be any violence. What a concept.

Does anyone see the irony in this group called Humane Borders? Borders aren't meant to be humane. They are meant to divide countries and keep other countries and their citizens from infringing on our sovereignty. They aren't meant to be a welcoming mat for hordes of foreign nationals.

Jesus Romo, an attorney representing Border Action Network, said the California-based National Alliance for Human Rights wanted to bring in supporters to confront the Minutemen.

``We tried to dissuade them because we don't think it would be a good idea to focus on that kind of behavior,'' Romo said. ``And simply creating a confrontation would be counterproductive for everyone.''

Shouldn't this be a dead give away that this rat lawyer aides and abets illegals which is a crime? Shouldn't this be a dead giveaway that the supporters for BAN are mostly illegals?

Romo said Border Action has advised the alliance that it would be better for those who oppose the Minuteman to ``concentrate on the things we need, which is to file lawsuits, investigate the matter.''

Like someone else stated, lets start with a lawsuit to get our immigration laws enforced and our borders secured.

``It's best to leave those people alone and not get close to them because I believe they're dangerous, and it's in their best interest to create a confrontation to get media support,'' he said.

In some circumstances it is best not to do anything, and this is one of those circumstances, Romo said.

Of course if they had the greater numbers and the MMP were unarmed then this rat would be signing a different tune.

Ray Ybarra, a Stanford law school student, said at least 40 to 45 volunteers in Tucson and Phoenix have signed up to serve as legal observers, with others expected from California. They hope to deter any abuse with their presence and document any illegal activity.

Because the illegals are always the victims. It's never their fault.

She said Arizona law enforcement agencies created an ``atmosphere of impunity'' that encouraged private border watch groups to organize and ``to continue hate crime activities and breaking the law.''

An international human rights complaint also will be presented to the Organization of American States' Interamerican Commission on Human Rights this week accusing the United States of failing to prosecute vigilantism, she said.

I agree. We should stem this atmosphere of impunity and prosecute vigilantism. Lets start with the illegals by sending them home.