FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Anna Núñez, Communications Coordinator, ACLU of Texas, 713-942-8146 x103, [email protected]
HOUSTON – A group identifying itself as a coalition of “Patriots,” has called on civilian militia members to assist in a militia operation called “Secure our Border – Laredo” at the Texas-Mexico border.
A similar move in 2005 resulted in the vigilantes losing both money and their land. A self-styled border-watch group that sought to protect private property from undocumented immigrants crossing the border from Mexico was accused of terrorizing immigrants after one of its members pistol-whipped one of two migrants. The two sued in a Texas court and won. A default judgment of $850,000 issued by a Texas judge against two militia members led to the loss of one’s Arizona ranch that had been used as headquarters for one of the civilian groups. The owners of the Texas ranch where the group encamped were ordered to pay $100,000 to the immigrants.
The following statement can be attributed to Terri Burke, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas:
“We don’t need the coalition of Patriots in our backyard. The Texas border is well under control. We don’t have a border enforcement issue, we have a humanitarian crisis. Communities are safe and there has been no documented increase in crime. We urge ranchers to be mindful that they place their hard-earned assets and livelihood at risk when they get mired in the efforts of these anti-immigrant, hate-based vigilante groups.”
RELATED ARTICLES:
“Militia group heading to Texas border,” (The Brownsville Herald, 07/05/2014)
“Vigilante forced to give ranch to illegals,” (Arizona Daily Sun, 08/19/2005)
