MEDIA ADVISORY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROTEST ARMED BORDER VIGILANATES. PROTECT OUR COMMUNTIES FROM HATE

RALLY AT PEACE ARCH: SATURDAY OCTOBER 1ST AT 2 PM

The immigrant and refugee rights group No One is Illegal Vancouver is gravely concerned at the prospect of armed vigilantes, the Minutemen Civil Defense Corps, conducting patrols at the U.S./Canada border and organizing their first official patrol on October 1st at the Washington/BC border. The Minutemen Project began in April 2005 with patrols of the US-Mexico border, one of the most heavily militarized border in the world, with over 2000 deaths since 1998.

Founding member James Gilchrist has said that those who oppose his project- including President Bush- and call his group “vigilantes” are mistaken. He claims that his group is composed of “white Martin Luther Kings.” Many of these “white Martin Luther Kings” have been visible in Minutemen rallies as members of National Alliance- the largest neo-Nazi group in America. Furthermore, although Gilchrist promised that no one would be allowed to bear guns except those who had permits to carry concealed weapons, at least four-fifths of volunteers have carried weapons in previous border patrols.

No One is Illegal has concerns that anyone coming into contact with these armed vigilantes is in danger. Enforcement agencies have stated that they have safety concerns, so certainly any migrant would also be at increased risk. Given that the Minutemen assume a need to arm themselves, it seems only a matter of time before someone here is harmed by them.

“Refugees are already vulnerable to various forms of abuse by governments, border services, law enforcement agencies and unscrupulous employers,” states Amal Rana, an organizer with No One is Illegal (NOII).  “That they have to now deal with armed vigilantes on their way to Canada is a major
concern of ours, to say the least.”

Parisa Yazdi of No One is Illegal-Vancouver further states, “The Minutemen are facing increased opposition. According to their own admissions, far less recruits are joining and their numbers are waning. This is a positive sign and is a testament to the success of communities around the Arizona-Mexico border to rally together against the Minutemen project. Now it is time for us to guard our communities against their message and their tactics as they moved towards the northern border.”

To protest against the Minutemen and their message of intolerance, No One is Illegal-Vancouver is joining concerned community groups in Washington state on the day of the Minutemen Project launch on the BC-Washington border: Saturday October 1st at the Peace Arch at 2 pm.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Harjap Grewal- 778-552-2099