Minuteman opposition organizes resistance

Currency of non-confrontation
The Minuteman Project is dedicated to a policy of “observe and report” when on the border. Members are instructed to follow a strict non-confrontation policy, those found violating or attempting to violate that policy are dismissed, Simcox said.  Despite several warnings that violence could break out during the Minuteman Project’s April border watch, no violence occurred. 

That spirit of non-confrontation is being preached among the Minuteman resistance as well. 

Enrique Morones, who heads a 1,200 strong volunteer organization known as the Border Angels, is organizing San Diego Latino groups to oppose the Minutemen and other border watch groups in a coalition called “Gente Unida,” which adheres to a strict non-violent policy.

“We’re planning a lot of activities, a lot of peaceful demonstrations,” he said.  “We’ll be doing so in the spirit of people like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez.” But, he says, “if a car comes at us or something we’ll protect ourselves.”

Simcox acknowledges the opposition and says his group will “demand protection" from law enforcement authorities. “We adhere to restraint and retreat but then that will not last long if our rights are not being protected,” he said.  “We will defend our rights and our country from the enemy within. Bloodshed will be the responsibility of President Bush, Congress and all elitist government officials who have ignored this problem far too long.”

The government would rather everyone just stay home.  The Minutemen probably aren’t prepared for the political climate of California, said George McCubbin, a Border Patrol agent and southwest vice president of the National Border Patrol Council. 

“We have a bunch of, well, in plain English, ‘loony tunes’ out here [in California] waiting for the Minutemen to show up,” he said.  “Those [Minuteman] volunteers are good citizens who just want to do the right thing; I’m hoping they don’t get involved in any type of violence. I just don’t think they are ready for these [advocacy] groups and what they might throw at them.”

But neither does McCubbin want assistance from the Minutemen.  “We thank them for their interest but we really don’t need their help,” he said.

Meanwhile, the official line from Washington regarding these citizen-led border watches seems to tap dance in that no-man’s land between approval and disdain.

“The Border Patrol relies on the eyes and ears of the general public and continues to encourage citizens to immediately report suspicious activity to either the Border Patrol or law enforcement,” says Kristi Clemens, assistant commissioner for Customs and Border Protection.  However, the Border Patrol “continues to be concerned for the safety of any volunteers and Border Patrol agents,” she said.  “Patrolling and securing the border is a job best left to highly-trained federal law enforcement personnel.”

Political route
Another group helping to shape the opposition against the Minutemen is urging the Hispanic community to go the political route.

“We’ve been conducting informational forums and town hall meetings in migrant communities and getting a sense of those communities that will be most impacted by the presence of the Minutemen in San Diego,” said Christian Ramirez , director of the San Diego chapter of American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization that advocates for social justice issues.  “The sense from the community here is that that Minutemen are not welcome.”

Ramirez said a campaign will soon be launched to get elected officials to take a public stand on the Minutemen. "There’s always been a sense of respect and of non-confrontation, at least in the 10 years I’ve been here and we certainly do not want that reputation to be tarnished," he said.

“The outside element coming into San Diego is the wildcard,” he said.  “Ultimately the communities here will have to live with the consequences ... We want this summer to be one of people debating, dialoging about the issue—and certainly there will be protests on the streets—but for all that protest to make sure that folks that leave San Diego leave it the way they found it, which is a peaceful way.”

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