<p>A Hispanic rights organization on Saturday reaffirmed its opposition to armed civilian patrols along NM Highway 9 by the border watch organization called New Mexico Minutemen, which began operations last week.</p>
<p>Saturday, officials of a Southern New Mexico chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens denounced the Minutemen and similar organizations. The officials said the civilian border monitoring operations exacerbate racial tensions and do not represent the will and sensitivities of most New Mexicans.</p>