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Indybay Feature

Desayuno at No Borders Camp

by panda
On Friday morning, November 9, border campers struggled to re-gain a connection between both sides of the camp.
dhs-bumper-sticker_w.jpg
On Friday morning, November 9, border campers struggled to re-gain a connection between both sides of the camp. The area between the two sides of the camp was originally open for campers to interact with each other, but that space was lost on Thurdsday night, when, after a border patrol shift change the new agents on duty moved in and claimed the space. They parked a Department of Homeland Security Jeep there and maintained a presense of approximately 10 agents between the Calexico and Mexicali sides of camp.

Meals were prepared by Food Not Bombs often shared between both sides. When the migra moved in, they cut off breakfast for half the camp. But campers wanted to have breakfast together. Tables and food were brought to the line, but not let across.

The situation escalated when approximately 10 Border Patrol agents, dressed in full riot gear moved through the U.S. side of camp and established a presence on the other side of the wall, barring all access between the sides. The threatening display of force by the migra spurred a lock down by campers, and further border patrol were refused through.

Intense negotiations followed amongst cheers of, "We just want to eat breakfast!" Legal observers relayed messages between the campers and agents. Finally, the border patrol agreed to withdraw the Jeep between the two sides of the camp if protesters moved aside and agreed not to deface their vehicles anymore. They also agreed to withdraw the agents in riot gear after breakfast as long as things remained peaceful. Campers were finally able to pass plates of pancakes across the fence and eat together.
§DHS Parking at nbc
by panda
dhs-parking_w.jpg
§Department of Homeland Security Jeep
by panda
patrol-jeep_w.jpg
"No More Patrol"
§Riot Migra
by panda
riot-migra_w.jpg
§Mexicali Camp Infiltrated
by panda
mexicali-camp-infiltrated_w.jpg
The Border Patrol agents in riot gear have just passed through and have established a line out of view from the U.S. side of the camp inside the Mexicali side. Notice everybody's heads are turned to look at them.
§Breakfast Table
by panda
breakfast-table_w.jpg
The breakfast table was U-locked to a DHS generator/flood light as to not be moved from the fence area.
§More Agents
by panda
reinforcements_w.jpg
More agents come to the scene after the ones in riot gear cross the line.
§The Agents are Blocked
by panda
reinforcements-blocked_w.jpg
Campers block the agents from moving to the fence.
§Surveillance
by panda
surveillance8_w.jpg
DHS surveillance during the scene.
§Tense Negotiations
by panda
negotiation_w.jpg
§Pepper Spray Gun
by panda
less-leathal_w.jpg
Pepper spray was a constant threat throughout duration of the camp. This gun shoots bullets of the chemical weapon. Agents were often seen with their finger on the trigger.
§Black Bandanas
by panda
anon_w.jpg
§Chanting
by panda
we-just-want-breakfast_w.jpg
"We just want to eat breakfast!"
§View Points
by panda
view-points_w.jpg
Keeping an eye on the scene from above.
§juntos
by panda
640_juntos.jpg
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steev
Mon, Nov 12, 2007 6:45PM
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