Posted on 05/01/2006 3:35:02 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
Several hundred protesters in Tijuana, Mexico blocked vehicle traffic heading to San Diego on Monday, turning the world's busiest border crossing into an empty parking lot.
U.S. authorities responded by closing the metal barriers in front of vehicle inspection lanes for "security purposes" about 1 p.m. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, which links Tijuana with San Diego.
However, Angelica De Cima, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Customs Service, which runs the port, stressed that the port remained open to the few vehicles that were able to make it through the crowd.
"We are there to do our law enforcement mission but traffic is being interrupted by the crowd," De Cima said.
About 50,000 vehicles pass through the San Ysidro port on a typical day, but protesters began waving flags and shouting slogans at passing cars in Tijuana Monday morning, forcing many drivers to turn back. Tijuana police reportedly arrested at least three people for hitting cars as drivers tried to cross the border.
Pedestrian traffic was being allowed through the port as normal, officials said.
Mexican police, wearing gray and black fatigues, formed a line across the freeway about 2 p.m. and attempted to clear a lane for vehicle traffic. About 10 cars managed to squeak through before protesters rushed the lane, forcing several cars to turn around and drive off. Mexican police arrested one person at the scene.
Another group of marchers sat down on the roadway and formed a human blockade.
A holiday atmosphere carried the day, however, as ice cream vendors milled through the crowd and children on bicycles popped wheelies on the empty roadway.
Meanwhile, protesters gathered on the U.S. side of the border and marched toward the border. California Highway Patrol officers dressed in riot gear waited near the port in the event of trouble.
"We are ready in the event San Diego (police) calls us in the need of assistance," said CHP spokesman Larry Landeros.
Keep it closed....
I suppose it's too much to hope that they have no plans to reopen it.
I am Stunned how about you
Americans need to stop spending money in mexico, too many tourists going to their resorts,spending thousands of dollars per trip, I have made my last trip to tijuana, and it is 8 miles away from my door..and it is great that mexico has legalized drugs, what a great neighbor..
I'd bet the CBP Officers are happy to have a break.
Conveniently, the train cars are open under the Coronado Bridge. They are full in 5 minutes with hundreds of illegals.
Yes, the US is aiding in distributing the illegals around the country.
Dude, you, if anyone, should know we are living in the Stuned Age. ;-)
And in other news in San Diego county...... It was a wonderful ride into work on the freeway. My neighborhoood was quiet without the sound of leaf blowers this afternoon. Man, I could get use to this. They should do this every day!
Were the enforcement officers using beeber like devices?
So it can be done!
Pro-immigration protest at San Ysidro/Tijuana border crossing, May 1. Protesters blockaded the international border crossing from Tijuana to San Diego, California, although vehicle traffic was almost non-existent during what is usually a crowded morning commute.
"Green card? We don got no green cards. We don got to show you no steenkin green cards!"
Pro-immigration protest at San Ysidro/Tijuana border crossing, May 1.
dog wanders in empty traffic lanes that lead to the U.S.-Mexico border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico, May 1.
Build a wall while the traffics light!
Watchin' the race on tape, @ lap 74 right now :-)
Young man, you got that right.
Good job
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