Latinos to protest border project
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Latinos to protest border project
By Brenda Gazzar
Staff Writer
A largely Latino network of activists is preparing to protest -- on both sides of the border -- a partially armed civilian border patrol operation that aims to deter illegal immigration next month.
Protest activities, spearheaded by the National Alliance for Human Rights, probably will include rallies and vigils in border cities such as Douglas, Ariz., to counter the Minuteman Project, which is expected to draw about 1,000 people from across the country to monitor and report illegal crossings during the month of April.
Latino activists protesting the Minuteman Project could also form a human chain across the border, and plan to protest Saturday in the Orange County neighborhood of Minuteman Project founder James Gilchrist, said Felipe Aguirre, legal coordinator of Comite Pro Uno, a Los Angeles-area based migrant advocacy group.
"There will be a number of activities designed to demonstrate our protest," said Alliance Coordinator and UCR Professor Armando Navarro, who along with others plans to disclose the entire "nonviolent" strategy today at a press conference. "The intent was never (for National Alliance) to stop them. To perhaps embarrass them, to bring out the contradictory politics they represent, yes."
However, the network's activists are also expected to ask federal and state agencies to put a stop to the Minuteman Project. An Arizona-based Minuteman organizer said he welcomed the network's presence.
"They have their First Amendment right, just as we do," said David Heppler, safety and security coordinator of the Minuteman Project. "They can assemble and protest, just as we can, and we invite them to do it."
Minuteman's mission is to show that a significant presence can effectively seal the border and reduce unauthorized border crossings, Heppler said. About 10percent of volunteers have said they will be armed, but participants have been told not to initiate contact with border crossers or remove weapons from holsters, Heppler said.
The American Friends Service in San Diego plans to send three people to Arizona to support local groups monitoring the situation, to make sure that any potential violations of law or abuse are documented, said Christian Ramirez, the organization's director.
Navarro and Ramirez say the Minuteman Project is a dangerous, vigilante operation that could result in human rights abuses.
"They have every right to protest on the issue of immigration, but when you start entering the equation the use of weapons, and paramilitary tactics and the kind of harassment and intimidation that's part of their modus operandi, it becomes a question of legality," Navarro said.
Minuteman Project organizers contend they will abuse no one's rights and simply want to send a message about the country's national security and the risk of terrorism.
"I am not denying them their human rights," Heppler said, referring to the border crossers. "I welcome anyone. I respect them for wanting to have a better life, but they need to do it legally."
Brenda Gazzar can be reached by e-mail at brenda.gazzar@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9355.
Edit: Link by Mr_Magoo
Re: Latinos to protest border project
Quote:
The American Friends Service in San Diego plans to send three people to Arizona to support local groups monitoring the situation, to make sure that any potential violations of law or abuse are documented, said Christian Ramirez, the organization's director.
I doubt that violations of law involving illegal border crossing will be documented by these people.
Re: Latinos to protest border project
Quote:
Originally Posted by CountFloyd
Quote:
Originally Posted by butterbean
The American Friends Service in San Diego plans to send three people to Arizona to support local groups monitoring the situation, to make sure that any potential violations of law or abuse are documented, said Christian Ramirez, the organization's director.
I doubt that violations of law involving illegal border crossing will be documented by these people.
:) Welcome CountFloyd. I didn't write the article, I just posted it. But I really feel that this 'largely latino network of activists', are going to show such a huge display of riotous and ugly behavior; and that it will only help to reinforce why the Minutemen are volunteering their time, to peacefully enforce our laws along the border.
