Human Rights Groups Hope to Avoid Confrontations With Minutemen

kpho.com ^ | 04/04/05 | unknown

[katiedidit1]

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Local human rights advocates hope to dissuade other 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 from sending 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 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 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. Though they say they aren't violent, the chemistry is certainly right for violence," said the Rev. Robin Hoover, founder of Humane Borders, which sets out water in the desert for border crossers.

   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 NAHR 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."

   NAHR plans a binational "Solidarity Rally Against the Minuteman Project" Friday in Agua Prieta, Mexico, 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.

   Allen said continued pressure on policy-makers is the key to stopping the Minuteman Project and similar groups.

[SMARTY]

'Illegal' is the operative word is it not? This IS our country not THEIRS, is it not? Enough with this splitting hairs over the obvious. The situation is critical. The only people breaking the law down there are the people who enter this country contrary to the law. If they are observed and reported by citizens of THIS COUNTRY, then that's their problem. They need to go to their OWN country. Tell me what country on earth would permit Americans to enter illegally and in massive numbers, demand and receive unlimited government assistance, curry favor and the protection of the authorities and then call the host country 'inhumane' in its efforts to defend its own borders and resources? I want to go to that country and stop working like a slave for a living here, the way I do.

[printhead]

wow, another "news story" with interviews from only one side of the issue.

[VRWCmember]

"We understand bringing attention to the border; we just prefer anybody do that without violence. Though they say they aren't violent, the chemistry is certainly right for violence," said the Rev. Robin Hoover, founder of Humane Borders, which sets out water in the desert for border crossers.

OK, reverend, let's see which group encourages/supports unlawful activity:
Minute Man Project - patrols border in lawful fashion and reports lawbreakers to authorities.
Humane Borders - sets out water in the desert to aid and abet illegal border crossers.

I'd be careful about casting stones if I were you reverend.

[Samurai_Jack]

Human Rights Groups Hope to Avoid Confrontations With Minutemen

Damn Good Idea!

[Czar]

These fools have yet to learn the old tactics are simply not going to work any longer. We're not going to be intimidated by the formerly reliable buzzwords like "racist", "rednecks", "white supremacists", "gun nuts" and the like.

It's gotten too serious to fall for that any more.

[Nebr FAL owner]

Since the United States is not at "war" with Mexico no its not "aid & comfort to the enemy" but it IS aiding & abetting a criminal enterprise & conspiracy to do the same & you can be prosecuted for that.