MinuteMen Threaten to Shoot Protesters

Reposting from nettime:

Full report with photos, audio, video

http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/07/109981.shtml

The
video we have submitted with this press release shows us attempting to engage
the California Minutemen in a lighthearted, humorous manner
and their
response. Because we were more than 300 yards away, there are limited visuals,
but you can clearly hear threats such as "you come down
here and you will be
engaged in a firefight", "...I will shoot your motherfucking ass," and "you
wanna play, let's play motherfucker."

http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/07/109906.shtml

MinuteMen
Threaten to shoot protesters, 27MB =3D
-http://sandiego.indymedia.org/media/2005/07/109907.mov

This footage was
run on Channel 7/39 tonight, the San Diego NBC
Affiliate. Tapes were also
given to KUSI 51, KFMB 8, and ABC 10.

PRESS RELEASE: For Immediate
Release

Subject: Minutemen Threaten to Shoot Protesters (and their
mothers)

From: The Buenas Noches Brigade, an affinity group of Gente
Unida

Incident Date: July 16, 2005

Incident Time: Approximately
11:30pm

Location: Campo, CA (along the U.S./Mexico Border
Fence)

BACKGROUND: On Saturday, July 16th the Calilfornia Minutemen
(formerly known as the Border Patrol Auxiliary) began armed civilian patrols of
the
border near Campo, CA. In response, more than 150 anti-Minutemen
protesters converged in Campo to send a message that they should "go
home."

A primary purpose of the protest was to disrupt the California
Minutemen's ability to conduct their patrols. Numerous individuals and
affinity
groups focused on daytime activities, conducting two protests at the
VFW office (one at 12:30pm and another at approximately 5:00pm). The
protests
clearly aggravated the California Minutemen.

The Buenas Noches Brigade
was formed to draw attention to the location of the California Minutemen during
their evening patrols. Our goal was to
subvert their ability to conduct their
vigilante activities. In a sense of irony, we chose to adopt tactics similar to
when the California
Minutemen intercept people who cross their path (as
dictated by James Chase on their website). Their tactics include: introducing
themselves
("Buenos noches, Senor"), floodlights, non-physical engagement and
friendly dialog.

INCIDENT: Our efforts at applying said tactics were met
with intense hostility and threats of violence. The video we have submitted with
this
press release shows us attempting to engage the California Minutemen in
a lighthearted, humorous manner and their response. Because we were more
than
300 yards away, there are limited visuals, but you can clearly hear threats such
as "you come down here and you will be engaged in a
firefight", "...I will
shoot your motherfucking ass," and "you wanna play, let's play motherfucker."
(Full transcripts follow).

Our main intention for sending this release is
to illustrate the two faces of the Minutemen. They portray themselves as
law-abiding, peaceful,
public servants but only slight provocation results in
a willingness to use lethal force. They are clearly dangerous and their presence
in
California should not be tolerated.

The Buenas Noches Brigade will
be in Campo as long as the California Minutemen are in Campo.

CONTACT
INFO: Due to the serious nature of the threats made by at least one Minuteman,
and our desire to not get our "motherfucking asses shot", we would prefer to
keep our identities anonymous. We are, however, willing to reveal ourselves to
reporters as necessary.

TRANSCRIPT (partial):

Minuteman: ...let me
make this very clear to you, we are armed and we will defend ourselves. This is
not like the VFW. You come down here and
you will be engaged in a firefight
if necessary. Get the fuck out and go home."

Buenas Noches Brigade: So
what kind of song do you want to hear (laughter)?

Minuteman: We are going
up the hill to see your ass.

Buenas Noches Brigade: I don't have that
song (laughter).

Minuteman: If you engage me with a gun, I will defend
myself and I will shoot your motherfucking ass.

Buenas Noches Brigade:
We're being threatened with guns.

So you are threatening
us?

That's a threat.

Tell him we have video cameras...(loudly) We
have video cameras.

Minuteman: Listen assholes, you wanna play? Let's
play motherfucker, let's go!

Buenas Noches Brigade: Let's get out of
here.

Thanks, that'll be live on CNN tonight, "l'm gonna shoot your ass,
motherfucker."

Minuteman: Play it any way you want,
asshole.

Buenas Noches Brigade: CNN, ABC, NBC...

Minuteman: That's
your mother on all three channels!