Posted on 09/03/2007 6:24:04 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Political leaders and community members from Laredo and Nuevo Laredo joined forces Sunday morning to send a clear message to proponents of a border fence that they believe sends the wrong message."No wall," the group of nearly 100 people from both sides of the border chanted at the Hands Across el Rio event. The protestors clasped hands in a unified effort to speak out against the United States' plans to build a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.
"As we join hands across the rio, we are neighbors, we are friends, we are family," said Mayor Raul Salinas as he and District VII Councilman Juan Chavez greeted Mexican Congresswoman Maria Dolores Gonzalez in the middle of the pedestrian walkway at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge.
"What we are building is bridges of friendship," Salinas added. "The wall of shame is the wrong thing. In a time where we have torn down walls, what in the world are you thinking?"
As Salinas and Dolores spoke to the crowd, mostly dressed in white shirts to show unity, many Nuevo Laredoans also waved white flags. The two sides unfolded and exchanged umbrellas with Mexican and U.S. flags, all the while speaking the same message.
There are alternative solutions to policing the borders, Dolores and Salinas said, and a wall is not the answer.
"If we're really going to fight the war against terror we need to work together," Salinas said.
As the self-proclaimed friendly neighbors from the U.S. and Mexico held hands and spread across the bridge, vehicles passing from both sides began to honk at the line of united protestors that spanned nearly the entire length of the bridge.
"This is a big message because not only Mexican people are manifesting against the wall, but also Americans," said Benjamín Galván, president of Casa del Migrante in Nuevo Laredo.
Also important about the group gathering on the bridge Sunday is the elected officials from the United States who spoke out against the wall, Galván said.
Galván suggests using the billions of dollars it will take to build a fence along the U.S.-Mexico border for a worker program between the two nations.
In fields such as agriculture and construction, Galván said, the United States needs Mexican workers who travel here in search of a prosperous life.
Sister Mary Ellen said after the peaceful protest that breaking down barriers is the direction in which nations should move.
"All borders are man created," the sister said. "We're in a day and age now that we need to let go of them."
Others in attendance encouraged everyone to contact federal legislators to speak out against the border fence and continue to do so until there is a change.
"Anybody who lives on the border knows how important it is to respect our neighbors," said Henry Flores. "Our families in Nuevo Laredo are our families and we should always, always have the respect for them as well as our own."
"Pray that there be enlightenment," Flores added. "Pray that we get to the point that we're no longer afraid when somebody says ‘9/11, the terrorists are coming.' The terrorists are the ones trying to engender hatred."
Hands Across el Rio events began in El Paso on Aug. 25 and continue to move down the Texas-Mexico border until Sept. 9.
For those speaking out against the border fence in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, the fight is not over.
"This is only the start," Galván said. "It doesn't finish until we see a change in opinion."
(Ashley Richards may be reached at 728-2538 or by e-mail at ashley@lmtonline.com)
Mexican-style kidnappings taking place on the US side of the border.
Yes, real friendly.
Obviously they never heard the old saying “Good Fences Make for Good Neighbors.”
Along the TX border, almost every family has illegal alien roots. They don’t believe in no steenkeen border. And everyone buys food for their families with US food stamps.
“Sister Mary Ellen said after the peaceful protest that breaking down barriers is the direction in which nations should move.
“All borders are man created,” the sister said. “We’re in a day and age now that we need to let go of them.”
Then I suppose she won’t mind if me and 20 other guys take up residence in her house and turn it into a non-stop beer fest. First thing we’ll do is remove the front door because, as she suggested, “we need to let go of them.”
Los dos Laredos ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
“lound”?
Nearly 100 people, huh? Well, clearly the vast majority of American don't want this wall built.
“As we join hands across the rio, we are neighbors, we are friends, we are family,”
You are in separate countries! DUH AND fences make good neighbors!
It’s hard to find good editors these days.
Kinda small turnout, if you ask me.
"All borders are man created," the sister said.
Actually, if the 'sister' read her Bible more she would realize that borders were God ordained. It was God who set the borders for the tribes of Israel. It was God who caused the languages to differ to separate the peoples of the world so He wouldn't have to judge all of mankind at once for his sins. He could do it by nations. This happened after the peoples of the world tried to become a 'one world' community.
“Sister Mary Ellen said after the peaceful protest that breaking down barriers is the direction in which nations should move.”
Then you no longer have “nations” you have communal land.
There were about 250 people at the El Paso protest. What a joke.
And they can do so legally by applying for a green card.
Exactly. After all, private ownership of property and national sovereignty are of course the great evils of capitalism...
</sarc>
Speak loundly and carry a small stick.
“This is only the start,” Galván said. “It doesn’t finish until we see a change in opinion.”
Sounds like communism to me. They are going to force us to change our opinion.
I want my share of the Mexican oil.
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