Noviembre 07, 2005
Border Deaths
One of the big "issues" here in Tucson is of course related to the border, and the fact that many people who are prevented from coming to the U.S. legally look for other ways. Immigrants have crossed the border from Mexico illegally for a long time, but in the last several years border security has been tightened in all the places where it's easy to cross: the big cities and the more hospitable areas - leaving only the dangerous and hostile desert country. The U.S. government considers this a deterrent, but people still keep coming, and now are dying in record numbers as they try to cross the desert.
In Tucson there are many who oppose the government border policies, and many activists go out in the desert and leave water and food, or look for migrants in order to help them. This past summer, the situation came to a new level when 2 activists found some critically sick migrants and knew they had to get to a hospital. While driving them to a hospital in Tucson they were stopped by the Border Patrol and arrested. They're being charged with with one felony count of transportation of an undocumented person and one felony count of obstruction of justice., and the trial is set for December 20, I think.
Every year activists and community members have an 8-mile walk, carrying little white crosses, in commemoration of all those who have died. I went this past weekend and it was really amazing and moving.
Here's a short, completely unedited video I shot on my little still cam of local activist folksinger Ted Warmbrand, singing a song about the situation called "Who's the Criminal Here?"
Posted by steev at Noviembre 7, 2005 08:24 AM
Steev,
Hey there! Great video, look forward to seeing more!
I just got your story from a friend of mine in Tucson, Dale, who informs me that you are now living there. I just moved to Portland from Tucson, actually, to take a VISTA job with Portland Community Media and Multnomah Community television. I work with kids through the OLLIE project, where we teach basic video production in local schools.
So our paths are in reverse, curiously enough. Truth be told, I think you're the one who will benefit the most from the move, as I am having a hard time getting used to all the rain. I envy you. God, I miss the desert!
Regardless, you should check out Pan Left Productions (www.panleft.org) while you're down there. My guess is you already know about them, though. They're good people, and I'm sure they'd appreciate the kind of work you do.
When you have the time please visit and critique my blog: www.5thtone.blogspot.com. I've included a couple of video entries and I should have some more up shortly. I'd love your feedback.
Got any suggestions, by the way, on how I can survive all this northwest wetness? Better yet, have any ideas how I can meet some interesting folks while I'm here?
Take care. Visit Cochise county when you get the chance. The stretch of land along the border east and west of Bisbee holds a special place in my heart--ocotillo everywhere, like stubble on the mountains.
Good luck...
Ryn
Oh boy, does Steev have suggestions on how to survive all the "northwest wetness"! ;)
Steev, good to see you made it down to Tucson a-ok. Eat some Herradurra in my name.
Wow, yeah, how to survive the wetness of the Northwest, that is a tall order. I decided I couldn't hack it, that's why I'm here in Tucson. Boy is it dry here. I have 200% more boogers here than in Portland, it's so dry. But it's worth it.
Anyway, I dunno. A lot of folks in Portland seem to compensate by drinking a lot. Be sure you have all the proper rain gear, especially if you bike a lot. And finally, as my friend Brian said, "have you tried therapy?"
But I couldn't afford therapy, so I moved.
Shawn, I have been to La Herradura twice already. It's still my favorite taqueria here.
nos vemos,
steev