NEWS & ANALYSIS

Minutemen Block Choke Point in Arizona Desert

By Bruce Barton
July 7, 2005

On the blistering hot afternoon of July 1^st, they began arriving at the small VFW Post in the Arizona hamlet of 3-Points. Soon tents, campers and a few motor homes along with some make-shift camp sites festooned the bleak landscape and the faithful of the Minutemen Project had arrived. By the time the evening operation briefing was about to begin, altogether 78 determined men and women had made their way to 3-Points.

While most people celebrated Independence Day, these 78 dedicated individuals were prepared to stand for what Independence Day was all about almost 230 years ago when another band of Minutemen stood their ground.

3-Points, Arizona sits at the north end of the Alta Valley some 24 miles southwest of Tucson and 45 miles from the lonely border outpost of Sasabee, Arizona. To the south, sits the Buenos Aries National Wilderness Area, and somewhere to the east is the small community of Aravaca.

The landscape is harsh, hot and dangerous. This is the place once described by Geraldo Rivera as “Drug Alley” -- possibly some of the most dangerous real estate in America. Only days prior to the Minutemen’s arrival a dead body was recovered along lonely state highway 266. In Nogales, two Border Patrol agents had been shot only the day before. This is a region ruled by drug cartels, rogue Mexican military units and Coyotes – the guides of the thousands of illegal aliens streaming into the United States through Arizona each night.

As the sun began to slip below the western mountains, the troop assembled to observe evening colors (the lowering of the flag accompanied by a bugle playing taps). One by one, the teams departed the VFW encampment to assume their positions on one of three lines set up to monitor illegal aliens crossing the desert. Their watch began at 8 p.m. and would end with the rising sun the following morning.

There were four lines set for observation, all designed to act as sort of a pin-ball gauntlet at the chokepoint of the valley identified by local property owners and residents of the area. Strict limitations were set on use of lights, use of radios and talking. Effectively, this operation was to be as silent as possible.

By the first morning light, the Minutemen could claim to have assisted in the apprehension of 21 illegal border crossers. The dark night had been busy and cooperation with the Border Patrol was superb. The two groups worked closely together throughout the night.

On hand were a few members of the ACLU – “legal observers” who seldom left the paved road and departed shortly after the evening vigil had begun. A television special by Aljazera was scheduled to film Arizona’s open borders. The Arab network was interested in the U.S. policy of releasing “OTM’s” – Other Than Mexicans -- shortly after capture to remain in the U.S. while waiting for immigration hearings, sometimes as long as 120 days away. The network had asked to cover the weekend operation, but Minutemen leader Chris Simcox had refused cooperation. The network cancelled its plans after protests from the Minutemen had been received by various Arizona Congressional members.

Exhausted, the Minutemen did what they could to sleep during the sweltering day. Meanwhile the VFW Post did everything it could think of to make the company comfortable; a better host would be hard to find.

The second night proceeded much as did the first, close cooperation with the Border Patrol and an evening’s apprehension number stood at 27.

Often during the daylight hours, small groups of Minutemen would return to their evening positions to “get a good look at it,” as one member remarked. What they found were literally thousands of plastic water jugs, tons of discarded clothing and food wrappers. Some of the most disturbing evidence was the many discarded objects that were painted black – a sign of drug traffickers.

The most common emotion among the group was outrage and empathy. “No human being should have to drag their children through this dangerous desert.” One Minuteman stated, “what kind of government allows – no encourages -- its citizens to endure this hell?”

As Sunday night’s operation began, it became clear that something had changed; there was nearly no Border Patrol response or cooperation. During a long night of frustration, perhaps as many as 60 spotted illegal aliens went un-collected by the Border Patrol. At one point, the Minutemen post near the illegal aliens phoned the Border Patrol (again) and asked what they were to do about the two men sitting in the wash as their water supply was nearly exhausted. Within 15 minutes a BP unit came and picked up the two. [It is the strict policy of the Minutemen to avoid contact with suspected border intruders and under no circumstances engage them.]

The weekend operation concluded Sunday morning and a noon flag ceremony was held to honor the 4^th of July by the VFW Post. The Minutemen provided the bugle call to the colors and the National Anthem. The post commander gave a brief message remembering all those who had died in service to their country.

As it had begun, operations ended. The encampment faded as the various participants began the journey back to their homes and safety.