Journey for Justice Day 4: Path to Uvalde

We are about 13 vehicles, with the organizers leading the caravan in their airstream and pickup truck, and my traveling companion Marina and I are at the end with my truck. We have the walkie-talkies between us as internet is sketchy at best.

So we are the last to go through the border inspection checkpoint. Border patrol is only allowed to ask if we are u.s.ofa. citizens. In addition, the founder of Witness at the Border has instructed us to not speak to border patrol, but to refer them to him.

He looks at me when he says they do not want to antagonize fuckin border patrol. Why the hell not? Such nice, fuckin white privilege to 'make nice' with cops and law enforcement. I support having a laison with police but NOT because we need to 'make nice' but so we can continue our action while he risks arrest - not that he would be arrested.

White people have sooooo much work to do, even those who obviously have their heart into helping change our policies and helping the targets of our policies. But we also have to realize our privilege and grab it like a bat to smash injustice of deep racism at the border, in this case.

There are not only two choices when dealing with cops/law enforcement: either antagonize or make nice. There is the choice of educating them, letting them know what they are doing is intolerable, and asking them to lay down their weapons and join the fight for justice. In other words, treating them like hkuman beings while remembering what their jobs are, what they are getting paid to do, and how we are benefitting from their 'protection'.

When we go thru the checkpoint, the border patrol officer tells us he's seen the rest of the caravan and wants to know what we are doing. Marina informs him and he brightens as he tells us he has been on such a journey through Mexico many times. He says he's originally from Monterey and we ask him to acknowlege that horrific things are happening to people seeking asylum. His smile disappears as he nods and says he never had to cross the way people are being forced to cross today.

He wishes us buena suerte and we notify the organizers we've all made it thru the check point.