Tucson editorial regarding the Minutemen
Our Opinion: A plea to the Minutemen - stay home
Tucson Citizen
Hundreds of armed, volunteer "Minutemen" invited to pour into Cochise County on April Fools' Day likely will create more problems than they ever could solve.
They're coming from across the nation to find and report incoming illegal immigrants, a sort of "neighborhood watch," says organizer Jim Gilchrist, who lives in Orange County, Calif.
We question why a Californian feels compelled to protect the Cochise County border, but county residents don't. Many welcome the Minutemen as a means to not only batten down the border, but also send a clear signal to Washington.
We need immigration reform, they say, and we need it now. We couldn't agree more.
Locals are tired of trespassers trashing their land. Some feel threatened enough to carry guns themselves, and that's logical once you've heard their tales of woe.
But the prospect of locals and visitors gathering with guns to avert would-be immigrants doesn't sit well with the Border Patrol or some county officials.
The summons is for "volunteers" who may carry guns but won't be required to have concealed weapons permits.
They would roam along the San Pedro River from Naco to the Huachuca Mountains, sweeping as far north as Tombstone.
Organizers say the Minutemen will simply alert officials to the presence of illegal immigrants. But given the emotionally charged immigration issue, will their activities stop at that?
All Americans should be concerned about border issues, but forming a group that includes veritable strangers - and encouraging them to bring firearms - has many authorities worried, and rightly so.
Instead of taking part in this ill-conceived exercise, people should contact their members of Congress and insist on comprehensive immigration reform now.
The "Minutemen" will be in territory where few folks can differentiate among citizens, legal immigrants and illegal immigrants. Our region is rich in Mexican-American heritage founded by families who settled here generations ago.
So the specter of unknown, untrained, armed people joining forces to "defend" our diversely populated desert makes us mighty nervous.
"It's a recipe for disaster," Border Patrol spokesman Andy Adame says.
Our trained, seasoned and knowledgeable law officers and Border Patrol officials have high-tech tools, deep knowledge of border-area deserts and a clear understanding of laws that apply.
They're dancing as fast as they can. The advent of inexperienced thrill-seekers can only impede their progress. So Minutemen: Stop and think. Then do everyone a favor. Stay home.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/index.php?page=opinion&story_id=030705b4_edits