Saturday morning border crossings from Brownsville, Texas to San Diego, California’s San Ysidro port of entry, may see mass interruption in the flow of traffic and commerce from Mexico into the United States as “Shut Down All Ports of Entry” protestors plan to block roadways with cars and people. San Ysidro is the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere.
Event organizer Stasyi Barth told Breitbart News that part of the aim of the event is to interrupt the flow of commerce in hopes of indirectly affecting the pocketbooks of politicians. The event’s aim is to affect enforcement at the border and action regarding seven specifically identified issues. Barth states on the event Facebook page that by shutting down the border, “we will stop approximately 1.4 billion dollars of trade, per day, from going into, and out of, Mexico and the United States of America.”
Stated on the “Shut Down All Ports of Entry” website is a more detailed explanation of the seven issues Barth is seeking to keep participants focused on: illegal immigration, economy and jobs, enforcing our laws, foreign aid, law enforcement officers’ rights, state sovereignty, and United States sovereignty.
Barth said in a press release this week, “This event is for you, every patriotic American, to express your grievances in a safe and peaceful way.” Barth has requested of those who plan to come armed, “Yes, some states allow you to carry a firearm, and I will not impede on that right. However, please keep it hidden and safely away from others.”
News surrounding the event temporarily confused the event’s association with militia; however, Barth has since clearly stated that, “This is NOT a militia event.” One of the intents is to demonstrate, “We are standing up for Law Enforcement, not against them.”
Barth also warns of possible counter-protestors: “There very well may be a counter-protest at the ports. Do not engage them! They will say angry, hateful and vile things; do not respond. They are looking for news coverage that they can point to, proving you are the bad guy.”
Breitbart Texas reported, “In Texas, the group plans on blocking ports of entry located at Laredo, Rio Grande City, Presidio, Hildago, Brownsville, and Del Rio. One of the leaders in Texas told another media outlet they have about 200 people lined up in Texas and expect more to just show up at the scene.”
Other ports of entry include, in New Mexico, Columbus and Santa Theresa; and in Arizona, Douglas, Naco, Nogales, and San Luis.
Participant instructions include driving vehicles, the larger the better, to specified staging areas. Those involved will meet with law enforcement there for guidance, after which all who desire to continue will move together to ports in order to block the road just north of the U.S.-Mexico border crossing. Each person has been repeatedly instructed to determine for him or herself to what level of escalation he or she is willing to face repercussions.
The event starts at approximately 8 a.m. PST on Saturday morning, September 20 and has no designated end date, according to event details.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
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