Final Update 12:48 p.m.: With buses turning around and Streamline hearings cancelled today, those chained at the federal courthouse parking lot entrance decided to unchain themselves, save the PVC pipe for the next action and end the protest. Puente organizers announced other ICE shutdown actions are planned for Monday in Phoenix. Those who blocked the parking lot entrance at the federal courthouse were arrested anyway.
Update 12:30 p.m.: Bus action is almost over. TPD cut through pvc tubes and chains, and folks blocking buses were arrested. Those at federal courthouse are standing up and celebrating, but remain linked together. Remaining protestors are now off the sidewalk and in the street. Also announced: Streamline court shutdown for today in Tucson as a result of the action.
Update: Tucson Police Department officers are at the scene of the bus blockade at I-10 and 18th Street with equipment to cut through PVC pipe and chains. You can follow along at www.notonemoredeportation.com.
Early this morning, folks from Puente, Derechos Humanos and No More Deaths blocked two buses carrying undocumented detainees on their way to the federal court house for their Streamline hearings. The buses were stopped at I-10 and 18th Street, and people chained themselves to tires at each of the buses, while another group chained themselves at the entrance to the DeConcini Federal Courthouse parking lot.
At the bus blockade and action, reporters have been told to stay away from the buses and behind yellow tape, while at the DeConcini courthouse, everyone is being asked to stay on the sidewalk and are prevented from taking photos on the mediums. At the federal courthouse, about two hours into the action, about 24 armed U.S. Marshals were dispatched to surround the protest in different areas across the street, on the mediums and each end.
U.S. Marshals and other security personnel outnumber protestors almost two to one.
Reports are that Tucson Police are preparing to move in—first getting rid of photograhers and reporters. TW web editor Henry Barajas is headed back to the office with an update.
This article appears in Oct 10-16, 2013.
These extremist bullies are no different than the tea party bullies holding the US hostage right now. Extremists on both sides, right and left, serve no purpose other than to make it harder for those who would wish to find some common ground/solutions to concerns/issues very difficult. When everyone is so polarized, nothing positive can happen. In this case, I believe those stopping the US legal process from happening need to be arrested.
This is civil disobedience, and it is a proud tradition in the United States. This is how We The People let our elected officials and people we hire (like police and Border Patrol, paid with my tax dollars and yours) know that we don’t approve of the current situation. And I certainly do NOT approve of Operation Streamline being conducted in my name and with my money. As for the “US legal process” that you are so proud of — that is not being followed in Operation Streamline, which has contributed to the criminalization of what is actually only a civil offense, and has eliminated due process. What common ground do you suggest?
TPD/BP/ICE are just enforcing the law of the land, apprehending ILLEGALs who are here ILLEGALLY. Instead of directing your “civil disobedience” at TPD/BP/ICE, direct it towards Washington politicians who have failed to reform this country’s broken immigration system and refuse to enforce the laws already on our books.
LEGAL immigration is a good thing. ILLEGALS and ILLEGAL immigration is not…
It would be that simple, EastTucsonaian…just change a couple of words and letters and illegal becomes legal. And you are right that Rep Barber’s office should also be targeted as one of the places bad laws are enforced rather than reformed. He is not paying attention to his constituents.