Rights activists seeking to halt citizen border patrols
Posted on 12/28/2002 2:24:22 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Rights activists seeking to halt citizen border patrols
New governor urged to stop groups that try to curb illegal crossings
12/28/2002
PHOENIX - Immigrants rights activists are urging Arizona's incoming governor to stop citizens groups that patrol border areas looking for illegal immigrants and smugglers.
Members of the Border Action Network asked Gov.-elect Janet Napolitano earlier this month to investigate the legality of the armed groups and their actions, which are aimed at curbing illegal border crossings.
"It's not their job to defend, to harass people, stalk people, injure people. That's nobody's job," said Jennifer Allen, co-director of the Tucson-based organization. "They [illegal immigrants] have civil rights and human rights that take precedence over defending the country."
There are now at least three citizens groups patrolling the Arizona-Mexico border, which has been one of the most active spots in the nation for illegal crossings during the last few years.
In at least one instance, one group seized about 280 pounds of marijuana from smugglers crossing a private ranch.
So far, there has been no known violence linked to the groups.
However, officials have warned of the potential for someone to get hurt during encounters between the groups and illegal immigrants or smugglers.
Human rights groups, such as the Arizona Civil Liberties Union and the Office of Peace and Justice, are backing activists opposing the citizens groups' actions, as are some local government officials and border residents.
"We are a government of law," said Pamela K. Sutherland, legal director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union. "The vigilantism and lawlessness they [citizens militias] represent cannot be tolerated and we won't let their behavior go unchecked."
Members of the patrol groups said Wednesday that they have taken defensive measures because law enforcement has failed them.
"Citizens would not feel they have to do this if our elected officials were doing their job in providing security," said Chris Simcox, organizer of a militia called Civil Homeland Defense.
"We are humans who understand the plight of people who are fleeing Mexico, but it is not a situation we will tolerate," Mr. Simcox said.
Southern Arizona rancher Roger Barnett said he patrols his land to protect against people who are breaking the law. Mr. Barnett has on occasion confronted illegal immigrants and held them for authorities.
"There's no law down here. It's a dangerous place," he said. "These people who come in, they tear up the environment, they'll drive down the road like a crazy person. Everyone is in danger of these people. They're lawbreakers."
Border Action Network is also urging the government to investigate several incidents in which immigrants were killed or injured, including five cases from this year.
They include an October case where unknown gunmen opened fire on a group of illegal immigrants in Red Rock. Authorities are investigating whether smugglers were responsible for the shootings.
Ms. Napolitano's office received the organization's report on the patrol groups Wednesday but has yet to review it, said Napolitano spokeswoman Kris Mayes.
"There is no room in Arizona for vigilanteism," said Ms. Mayes.
This is MeeknMing's post, hon, you need to ask him!
What stood out when I read it was that they they considered armed Americans to be illegal, that Americans do not have the right to use arms to defend themselves and their property.
Easy enough argument to counter in this instance. Governor, call out the militia!
These people Arizona Civil Liberties Union and the Office of Peace are out of touch with the U.S. Constitution. Please read:
Civil Homeland Defense: Throwing Down the Gaunlet By Chris Simcox, Tombstone Tumbleweed Published 12. 16. 02 at 22:58 Sierra Time Dear friends south of the border of the United States of America. Many of you are violating the southern United States land border with Mexico. There are ways in which you can enter the United States legally. We now must insist that you heed this warning to enter legally or be repelled by American citizens. We do not want to create trouble for anyone, nor do our countries need problems at a time when we are fighting terrorism.
If your country was attacked the way in which the United States was on September 11th, 2001, would you do anything different than protecting your borders? It is a fact that your country of Mexico has 20,000 plus troops protecting your southern border with Guatemala. We only want the same protection as you do.
Our United States government has let us down; we the people of the United States have the Constitutional right to protect our own borders. We will stop anyone from entering into this country in Arizona, until the President of the United States of America sends troops to do the job. At that time, we will go home, we will return to our normal lives.
You must understand the seriousness of our intentions:
We will defend our borders to deter entry other than legally into this country. We will protect the sovereignty of our borders; we are not out to "get" anyone.
Our intention is to force the United States Government to protect our borders, all of them. When the government responds we will go home. Please go through the proper channels of immigration to enter our country. If you do not do it legally we will do what is necessary to defend our borders.
Trespassers are not welcome.
Please remember that on the 120 ft. right of way that separates our border, we the people have absolute authority to repel trespassers; we have more authority and freedom than the Border Patrol, Customs, INS, and yes, even the United States military.
We respect your need for jobs; come here legally and we welcome you. We do not respect criminals or drug dealers, you are not welcome. It is as simple as that. We are not racists; we respect human rights. We respect your laws and rules of entry.
You must respect our laws and rules of entry. We hope you do not challenge the American citizens on this matter.
Again, our goals are to:
Protect United States Borders, North and South
We will deter and prohibit illegal entry into the United States
We will force the U.S. Government to Protect U.S. Borders
We will be relieved of duty and go home.
Thank you for listening.
Chris SimcoxCivil Homeland Defense
Acting as a citizen by permission of the President of the United States George Bush
© 2002 SierraTimes.com (unless otherwise noted) Permission to reprint/republish granted, as long as you include the name of our site, the author, and our URL. www.SierraTimes.com All Sierra Times news reports, and all editorials are © 2002 SierraTimes.com (unless otherwise noted) SierraTimes.com™ A Subsidiary of J.J. Johnson Enterprises, Inc. http://www.sierratimes.com/02/12/17/arcs121702.htm
Newspaper of Cochise County Tombstone, Arizona. PO Box 1579
Did you see Cal Thomas last night..he tried to blame the Democrats for this mess..he backled off slightly..but the truth is out there..This is a Republican plan from start to finish..the dems jumped on for what they could get . But the "credit" is Republican..
Pathetic
I suggest everyone write this group and explain to them that the law is being broken by illegal aliens - not byAmerican Citizens who are merely exercising their rights by the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.
ARIZONA CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
P.O. Box 17148
Phoenix, AZ 85011-0148
Phone: 602-650-1854: Fax: 602-650-1376
director@azclu.org
Jean Braucher, Esq., President
Eleanor Eisenberg, Esq., Executive Director
Pamela Sutherland, Esq., Legal Director
Donna Foote, Administrator
Only their own neighborhoods.
Well put.
Seems the illegal border crossers have all kinds of "rights," while the U.S. citizens living near the border have none -- no right to defend themselves or their property, no right to safety or security. Seems the citizens are supposed to shut up, turn the other cheek, and just take it.
Need an Arizona native's educated opinion.
Need an Arizona native's educated opinion.
Watch her like a Hawk, put her feet in the fire. Those of us in AZ must all re-read the Arizona Constitution and hold her to it.!
Preamble
We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/const/constitution2000.pdf
Then re-read and study the United States Constitution. Janet will bend all rules...so watch her.
By The Associated Press
Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:
|
ABC's "This Week" — Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.; Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.; Gov.-elect Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz.; Gov.-elect Mark Sanford, R-S.C.
___
After she is sworn in to the gods of the Perverted, she will go to work in dismantling this part of your constitution as a hate crime and lack of separation of state and church:We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.
Good luck with the clone of Jake Reno!
So 2Bee Butch has a DC office and has spent over a half million? Apparently the hostile gay crowd of America have opened their check books to make her, their new Jake Reno.
" "They [illegal immigrants] have civil rights and human rights that take precedence over defending the country." "
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