Desayuno at No Borders Camp

On Friday morning, November 9, border campers struggled to re-gain a connection between both sides of the camp. The area between the two sides of the camp was originally open for campers to interact with each other, but that space was lost on Thurdsday night, when, after a border patrol shift change the new agents on duty moved in and claimed the space. They parked a Department of Homeland Security Jeep there and maintained a presense of approximately 10 agents between the Calexico and Mexicali sides of camp.

Meals were prepared by Food Not Bombs often shared between both sides. When the migra moved in, they cut off breakfast for half the camp. But campers wanted to have breakfast together. Tables and food were brought to the line, but not let across.

The situation escalated when approximately 10 Border Patrol agents, dressed in full riot gear moved through the U.S. side of camp and established a presence on the other side of the wall, barring all access between the sides. The threatening display of force by the migra spurred a lock down by campers, and further border patrol were refused through.

Intense negotiations followed amongst cheers of, "We just want to eat breakfast!" Legal observers relayed messages between the campers and agents. Finally, the border patrol agreed to withdraw the Jeep between the two sides of the camp if protesters moved aside and agreed not to deface their vehicles anymore. They also agreed to withdraw the agents in riot gear after breakfast as long as things remained peaceful. Campers were finally able to pass plates of pancakes across the fence and eat together.