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UPDATE — At sunset last night, in a military-style assault, Border Patrol raided our humanitarian aid camp, chasing and arresting 30+ people who were receiving care and detaining all aid workers, whose phones were confiscated along w/ any video footage of the raid.
In a massive show of force, Border Patrol + BORTAC—the same militarized tactical unit recently mobilized against protestors in US cities—descended on the camp with an armored vehicle, three ATVS, two helicopters, and ~24 marked and unmarked vehicles.
Agents refused to present a warrant upon entry and were not wearing masks.
In the dark, they proceeded to chase + detain people who had been receiving care, while a Border Patrol cameraman filmed the chaotic scene.
In the dark, they proceeded to chase + detain people who had been receiving care, while a Border Patrol cameraman filmed the chaotic scene.
The initial detention + surveillance came just 24 hours after we released documents revealing the role of BORTAC and the BP Union in a raid of the same aid station, known as Byrd Camp, in 2017 https://twitter.com/NoMoreDeaths/status/1288540949971218433?s=20
Contrary to the false account being spread by @USBPChiefTCA, the day before, agents *had* entered the property without a warrant around 9:00am and detained one individual. Border Patrol then set up 24-hour surveillance around the perimeter of our property.
The raid is reminiscent of the retaliatory arrest of Scott, José, and Kristian in 2018, which took place hours after we released a report on Border Patrol’s interference with humanitarian aid, including a video showing agents destroying water gallons. https://theintercept.com/2018/10/18/border-patrol-no-more-deaths-arrest/
The message is clear: expose Border Patrol abuses, face retaliation.
Full press release available here: https://mailchi.mp/46b14c2c3721/byrdcampraid2020-4307614
