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Americas | California | San Diego | Global Justice and Anti-Capitalism | Immigrant Rights

No Borders Camp goes to the Cemetary
by tristan
Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM
Some Photos of my brief time at the No Borders Camp

I got to the NO Borders Camp late. It was an amazing sight, out in the desert, hundreds of people with only a big metal wall going through the camp. Activists were busy organizing, holding workshops and holding a meeting at the end of the fence. The border patrol was out in force and had intimidated the group many times, but generally did not stop the camp from functioning. They let people cross from the US to the Mexican side but not back. One had to walk three miles to the official crossing. But people could share food and items across the border.

We were late but we were just in time to go to a tour of the Holtville cemetery. There is a normal cemetery and behind it there is a large dirt field filled with unclaimed bodies, mostly they are of immigrants who died crossing the border. Each person is represented by a brick; most say "John Doe." A guy from the Border Angels gave an explanation and we laid crosses and flowers on the graves. It was a very sad experience.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

The camp on the US side and Border Patrol vehicles.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

People on ladders on the fence.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Talking to friends across the fence.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Talking across the "Vehicle Barrier" as the border patrol stops people from going South to North.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

View of the Mexican side of the camp.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Border patrol agent with pepper ball gun guards the barrier.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Camp on south side.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

The fence cutting the camp in half.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Ferdinand likes to smell the flowers more than hate the "others."
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

The wall became a useful bulletin board and gave shade but lets get rid of it.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Food being served to people on both sides.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Looking over the border wall.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

At the Holtville Cemetery a local resident holds up a cross ("not forgotten") as he explains about the people who have died crossing the border.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

The grave of a Mexican American who was one of the first to die in the war on Iraq, in the regular cemetery.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Explanation from a guy from the Border Angels. He told how they come to remember and put flowers and crosses on the graves and write to the families if they can.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Graves of many who died crossing the border.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

The grave of an unknown person who tried to make it to a better life in the US.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

laying flowers on graves.
by tristan Wednesday Nov 14th, 2007 12:23 PM

Walking between the graves of so many who died in the desert of river.