No Borders Camp goes to the Cemetary

I got to the NO Borders Camp late. It was an amazing sight, out in the desert, hundreds of people with only a big metal wall going through the camp. Activists were busy organizing, holding workshops and holding a meeting at the end of the fence. The border patrol was out in force and had intimidated the group many times, but generally did not stop the camp from functioning. They let people cross from the US to the Mexican side but not back. One had to walk three miles to the official crossing. But people could share food and items across the border.

We were late but we were just in time to go to a tour of the Holtville cemetery. There is a normal cemetery and behind it there is a large dirt field filled with unclaimed bodies, mostly they are of immigrants who died crossing the border. Each person is represented by a brick; most say "John Doe." A guy from the Border Angels gave an explanation and we laid crosses and flowers on the graves. It was a very sad experience.