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Rights activists seeking to halt citizen border patrols - groups that try to curb illegal crossings
Associated Press ^ | December 28, 2002 | Associated Press Staff

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

Associated Press

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.


Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dallas/tsw/stories/122802dntexazvigilantes.24ff7.html


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; Mexico; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Arizona; US: California; US: New Mexico; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: arizona; borderpatrols; citizenpatrolgroup; illegalimmigration; immigrantlist
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To: Republic of Texas; MeeknMing; madfly; All
Is this b$tch, Jennifer Allen related to OSAMA MAMA MURRAY?

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."

It is obvious that Seattle and Portland, Oregon aren't the only areas in America where traitors hold power and hate the safety of America! Of course she makes her living from the tax $'s of Arizonians and Americans protecting the great rights of the illegal aliens!

41 posted on 12/28/2002 8:31:12 AM PST by Grampa Dave
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To: *immigrant_list
http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list
42 posted on 12/28/2002 8:42:06 AM PST by Free the USA
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To: madfly
>>she will be on ABC tomorrow morning with Kyl.<<


I wish Chris Simcox or Tom Tancredo would be on with her for a little balace.
43 posted on 12/28/2002 9:32:16 AM PST by Missouri
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To: SheLion
LOL ! Woody needs some CPR/serious medical attn ! Thanks...
44 posted on 12/28/2002 9:34:20 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
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To: SheLion
You are now on ! Thank you.
45 posted on 12/28/2002 9:36:11 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
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To: SheLion; Tripleplay
I've added you to the list, Tripleplay ! Thanks...

SheLion: Nah, I didn't go to sleep. I went to Bally's and had a workout. Now I'm playin' Ketchup, as usual !

46 posted on 12/28/2002 9:47:23 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
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To: MeeknMing
You are now on ! Thank you.


47 posted on 12/28/2002 9:52:17 AM PST by SheLion
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To: Grampa Dave
Tell 'em, Grampa ! Thanks....
48 posted on 12/28/2002 9:52:28 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
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To: MeeknMing
"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."

I nearly hit the floor when I read this. Unbelievable! She should be be tried for treason.

49 posted on 12/28/2002 9:54:31 AM PST by montag813
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To: goldstategop; David Isaac; DLfromthedesert; Feckless; Kuksool; AEMILIUS PAULUS
Thanks for your comments, etc., folks !
50 posted on 12/28/2002 9:59:15 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
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To: madfly
The skyways over Pasadena are off limits this year.
51 posted on 12/28/2002 10:39:50 AM PST by NorseWood
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To: MeeknMing
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."

This is one of the most moronic statements that I've heard in a long time.

52 posted on 12/28/2002 10:57:19 AM PST by judgeandjury
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To: Tripleplay
Unfortunately, they only have to convince one person, a judge.

Yes, a dictatorial judge.

53 posted on 12/28/2002 11:03:24 AM PST by judgeandjury
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To: Kenny Bunk
Indian reservation hi-jinks,

Hmmmm....should I be concerned about your choice of words?

The Gubernatorial election was one by a slew of liberal voters in Tucson and Pima county, which, by the way, is the stomping grounds of Isabel Garcia and Representative-elect Raouuuuuuuuuuuuuuul Grijalva (D-AZ). The deciding votes were late-counted absentee ballots. Right.

54 posted on 12/28/2002 11:47:50 AM PST by HiJinx
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To: *immigrant_list
bump
55 posted on 12/28/2002 12:17:12 PM PST by gubamyster
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To: MeeknMing
"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."

Too bad this lady doesn't care about protecting the rights of American citizens living on their own property on the border:

At War on the Border:First drug dealers, next a wave of illegal immigration,then fear of terrorists

B.J. Kuykendall shares a ranch with her husband, Tommy, 34 miles north of Douglas. It has been in their family for six generations. She's not certain they'll make it to seven.

Her voice shakes with anger as she describes some of what's happened to her.

Illegals have chased her down the road near her home on foot, and used their vehicles to run hers off the road. On four separate occasions, they've piled boulders and debris across the road, apparently efforts to steal her truck.

They've tried to steal her horses, too. Two months ago, Kuykendall found her dog, a mastiff, poisoned with strychnine. The animal suffered for five hours before dying a horrible death, "for the crime of barking."

One of Kuykendall's neighbors found his dog dead, too, its throat slashed. Another has had four dogs poisoned.

"Every day of our lives, every facet of our lives is threatened," says Kuykendall, an ER nurse. "We can't leave here for any length of time because there might be nothing left when we come back. We're afraid of losing everything if this keeps up."

56 posted on 12/28/2002 12:41:15 PM PST by gubamyster
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To: MeeknMing
"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."

People like Jennifer Allen are what I call an AINO, American In Name Only.

57 posted on 12/28/2002 12:55:06 PM PST by judgeandjury
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To: judgeandjury

58 posted on 12/28/2002 1:03:43 PM PST by MeekOneGOP
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To: HiJinx
The deciding votes were late-counted absentee ballots.

One hates to pre-judge any situation, but given recent history that spells:

F R A U D.

59 posted on 12/28/2002 1:28:50 PM PST by Kenny Bunk
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To: Kenny Bunk
Don't it though...
Strange, nobody pushed that issue, neither Dims nor Pubbies...to my knowledge.
60 posted on 12/28/2002 2:36:38 PM PST by HiJinx
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