‘No’ to vigilante Minutemen

On July 2, the community of San Ysidro hit the streets to say NO to racist vigilante “Minutemen” and groups like them. Organized by La Gente Unida coalition, the proactive march drew close to 400 people. Enrique Morones of the Border Angels said, “They [Minutemen] are not welcome here and they’re not welcome anywhere. We say no to the militarization of the border.”

San Ysidro is the southernmost community in San Diego. The march assembled in San Ysidro Community Park and continued about 2.5 miles right through this mostly Mexican/Chican@ neighborhood to Border State Park. It was full of the positive energy of people young and old shouting “No human is illegal,” “One race, the human race,” “Tear down the borders,” “Viva Che, viva Chávez, viva México, viva Zapatistas,” and “Open all borders.”

As the march went though residential areas, people in the community came out and joined in the chants and listened to the rally speakers.

FIST speaker Ruth Vela

Ruth Vela of San Diego FIST—Fight Imper i alism, Stand Together—spoke at the opening rally. Here are excerpts from her talk:

“I want to dedicate this talk to our sisters and brothers in New Jersey who have recently had to defend themselves against the Minutemen. But we cannot ignore the fact that the INS, the border patrol, La Migra with their military technology and stadium lights, with their raids, their violence, arrogance and bigotry have been terrorizing our pueblo for far too long! We must also realize that we are not alone in our struggles. There are borders like this one in too many places.

“Just ask our brave compas in Palestine who cross checkpoints every day to get to and from work, like so many do here at San Ysidro and Otay. In the Dominican Republic, the Haitians who share the island are the ‘illegal aliens’ being brutally deported, just like we saw in Los Angeles last summer.

“The truth is that these stupid walls and borders and agents of the state don’t protect us. Don’t make us safer! In fact, the only reason they exist is because the rich need them so they can get richer. They continue to make groups of humans beings illegal. Make them appear less human … so that it seems okay to deny them basic human rights.

“All over the world people are fighting, bleeding, struggling, dying in an effort to have their basic needs met. Why, in 2005, if we are so advanced, are we still fighting the same battles against racism? Why are people still starving to death?

“We shouldn’t have to fight these same battles over and over. We shouldn’t still be asking for health care, housing, jobs and education. We as a class have the strength to take these things. Take our power back!

“So let us march with strength and dignity and remind the rich ruling class, that parasitic elite, that we have a history of fightback. The same fightback that exists in Palestine, Iraq and Haiti. That fightback that comes from the jungles of Chiapas, the hills of Morelia, to the streets of Tijuana. That fightback that lives and breathes here in the belly of this imperialist beast.

“Let us march as more than just a pueblo united against the Minutemen, but as a pueblo taking steps towards uniting with the workers and oppressed peoples of the world. Workers and oppressed peoples of the world, RISE UP.”