Minutemen start installing Ariz. border fence (Pictures included)

MSNBC ^ | May 27, 2006

[Rick_Michael]

PALOMINAS, Ariz. - Scores of volunteers gathered at a remote ranch Saturday to help a civilian border-patrol group start building a short security fence in hopes of reducing illegal immigration from Mexico.

The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps plans to install a combination of barbed wire, razor wire, and in some spots, steel rail barriers along the 10-mile stretch of private land in southeastern Arizona.

They hope it prompts the federal government to do the same along the entire Arizona border.

[Rick_Michael]

Some of us made it back home, and some of us are still down there working on the fence, performing security functions, or sitting on line today and tonight. It was a privilege for the Minutemen in attendance on the first official day of the fence project to be surrounded by so many dedicated Americans, from fellow Minutemen to well-known public figures.

We wanted to give you a short collection of photos so that you can appreciate the importance of the occasion, and see that your faith in the MCDC is well-justified. With all of your help, we are accomplishing huge tasks; we have made, and continue to make, a difference in how both illegal immigration policy and protection of our country are being addressed in the USA.

God bless all of our supporters, both those who could participate, and those who were unable to. Regardless of your level of participation, you are continuing to make Washington address something that they have tried their best to ignore.

First: Connie's (our media person) constant companion Buster decided to help with starting the fence:

Minuteman founder Chris Simcox showing a large representation of Jim Campbell's astonishing $100,000 check to the MCDC:

We were privileged to have a great number of wonderful speakers at our event. MCDC National Executive Director Al Garza said some inspiring words:

We were also addressed by MCDC Vice President Carmen Mercer about what this organization means to her. Carmen is a naturalized citizen, originally from Germany and 100% American. We are fortunate to have her help and guidance in our organization.

While all of the speeches were going on, and throughout the day, we had Grupo Beta watching the site and protesting from the Mexican side of the border fence:

If you didn't know Jim Campbell, our dedicated Minuteman who took it upon himself to donate $100,000 in one shot to our fence project, here he is giving a few words (and being thanked profusely by the crowd):

Candidate for Governor of Arizona, and Minuteman, Don Goldwater, was there, also. Let's root for him to get rid of Janet Napolitano and actually do something for the state of Arizona's intolerable illegal alien problem.

Dr. Gary Thrasher, veterinarian, was there to fill us in on the potential disaster awaiting livestock and animals in the US should diseases inflicting Mexican cattle take hold in our country.

Iowa Congressman Steve King was also there to affirm his commitment to the rule of law and to show his appreciation for our efforts:

And, last but definitely not least, Alan Keyes gave a speech about our government's forgetting about their MANDATED responsibility to our citizens and our country to protect our borders that brought the house down.

All in all, a great day for our country, and thanks to all of you, whether or not you are able to be there physically to help -- your support in any way is making a difference to the MCDC and to America's future. -------------------------------------------------------

What a great and glorious day! These photos were taken at sunset last night--the first photos of the fence going up along the Palominas, AZ and Mexico border.

The first fence will stretch for 10 miles. The landowner has made some modifications to the original design, as he has cattle and can not deal with trenches, etc. So we will be building 10 miles of fortified fencing with rails, barbed wire, concertina wire and railroad ties for vehicle barriers. We do not have a graphic of this design requested by the landowner, but we will soon have pictures!

The first full security fencing of the original design will be up on a nearby landowner's property as soon as we can get the steel order placed and shipped.

Will have more photos later from the groundbreaking ceremony today.

[nmh]

This is heart warming to see people put their money where their mouth is:

"Minuteman founder Chris Simcox showing a large representation of Jim Campbell's astonishing $100,000 check to the MCDC"

Many thanks to Mr. Jim Campbell. He should take that off his income tax. This is outrageous that a citizen should feel the need to FUND THIS. The GOVERNMENT should be footing the bill on this instead of the usual CRAP they fund.

I'm mighty pissed at BUSH. He WANTS ILLEGALS. He WANTS TO thumb his nose at EXISTING LAWS instead of ENFORCING THEM.

There is NO NEED for "immigration reform".

There is a DESPERATE need to ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS AGAINST THIS.

Arbitrary enforcing laws will eventually create anarchy.

[PRND21]

Keyes as Cowboy...who'd a thunk it.

[nmh]

Please keep us posted on the progress.

Bush should be ashamed of himself.

Whatever happened to ENFORCING LAWS? Or does that interfere with his arbitrary "compassionate conservatism" - aka dressed up liberalism complete with disregard for common sense and existing laws.

[gathersnomoss]

What a site of beauty. Doing what the despised and Anti-American government refuses to do.

God Bless You. Screw the representatives who hate this country.

Good luck election day, traitors!

[gathersnomoss]

Bush is a sham. He could care less what we think. I will not be screwed by another Rhino again.

[dynachrome]

http://www.sendabrick.com
Send a brick to your Senator or congresscritter. Let them know you want the wall built!

[Tammy8]

I applaud the MM for building the fence, even though we now have many more illegals coming in through my area than ever. Pressure on AZ or TX always funnels them through here.

The fence is becoming effective already; some illegals picked up near here told BP they came this way because "there's a fence in AZ now." Word travels south of the border pretty fast, though not always accurate. The two big rumors down there now is that amnesty has already passed and there is already a fence W of Sierra Vista.

[VU4G10]

Bush said today "The vast majority of illegal immigrants are decent people. They're hardworking people. They're people who love their families. ... They are part of American life and they're vital to our economy."

[Tammy8]

I had the same thought!!

[snowrip]

What a black eye to Bush and the RINOs on the Hill. God bless the Minutemen.

[gathersnomoss]

Uh, huh. So what part of illegal does B not understand? What a traitor!

If you don't think so, go try to break a law and see what happens to you, Gringo.

[Tammy8]

President Bush and any other politician would have more credibility if they would be truthful about the issues. If they were truthful about the fact that many are criminals, and many are leeches a realistic plan to deal with the issue would be easier to support.

[fantom]

He's probably right about the vast majority being good and decent folk. But he also expects us to carry the ones that are not. How nice for him. He will be settled behind his virtual fence in Crawford.

[snowrip]

Bush said today "The vast majority of illegal immigrants are decent people. They're hardworking people. They're people who love their families. ... They are part of American life and they're vital to our economy."

Sooooooo... It doesn't matter that they have no respect for the law and that every single one of them is a criminal just for being here. It doesn't matter that they cost the American economy one hell of a lot more than they benefit it... ditto for American culture, heritage, and American society. They're goooooood people....

Bush is such an idiot on this issue.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

God Bless Our Minutemen. We Love You...
God Bless Our Minutemen. We Love You...
God Bless Our Minutemen. We Love You...
God Bless Our Minutemen. We Love You...

[fishtank]

"Bush is such an idiot on this issue."

No, he's not an idiot, he's a crafty globalist.

[PistolPaknMama]

God bless our Minutemen!!

[MonroeDNA]

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

[BunnySlippers]

Keyes? In a cowboy hat? Why is he there?