ARIZONA COMMON SENSE

An Exercise in Aggressive, Non-Partisan Political Activism October 13, 2013 Volume 3, Number 19

TUCSON COURTHOUSE PROTESTORS: THE TRADITION OF THE BOSTON TEA PARTY REVISITED On Friday, October 11, 2013 a small group of America citizens affiliated with a group named Not 1 More Deportation put their futures on the line in an audacious and successful display of political activism. They had done their homework, first plotting out the Interstate 10 Frontage Road route taken daily by U.S. Marshalls bringing groups of impoverished Mexican citizens, often 100 at a time, (illegal entrants or illegal aliens depending on your political viewpoint), to the Tucson Federal Courthouse to be processed like cattle in a controversial mass deportation exercise known as Operation Streamline. Early morning Friday, just before the buses were to turn onto Congress, the activists moved to block and immobilize them. Then a handful c hained themselves to the axle of one bus, risking felony charges for obstruction of justice. See Photos The result? The pictures of the protest were flashed nationwide, reinvigorating the Open Border Movement which has suffered continual setbacks ever since 2004, the passage of the Arizona Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, a statewide ballot measure organized by Phoenix activist Kathy McKee, and later SB 1070, signed into law by Arizona Governor Janet Brewer, in 2010. More importantly; federal officials were left befuddled and wondering just how they would respond should the activists resume their protest the following Monday. I admire the way my fellow Americans put their boots to the feds, said Tucson community Activist Roy Warden, also known for using confrontational tactics, such as Mexican Flag Burning, to emphasize his political viewpoint. These folks put their bodies to the gears to bring Streamline to a screeching halt, at least for one day said Warden.

Warden believes Fridays Courthouse Protest represents the finest revolutionary spirit of America. Like those who dumped British tea in Boston harbor, these folks have the courage to stand up for their convictions, unlike many of my fellow Americans who lurk around the safety of newspaper blogs, shooting off their mouths, saying stupid things like: These protestors should go back to Mexico where they belong! Guess what folks? These protestors ARE American Citizens! And, they have the GUTS to put their lives on the line to support what they believe in. Everyone knows Warden disagrees with the content of their message. Over and over hes said: The Open Border Movement is simply helping the "Fat Cat" (many Republicans) employers increase the SUPPLY of labor, which drives down the VALUE of labor, which results in more Misery for all workerswhich is WHY Cesar Chavez was violently opposed to the use of Illegal Mexican Farm Labor. (The fact is Chavez even went to jail to stop illegal aliens from competing with his United Farm Workers of America union.) The FAT CATS employed the SAME tactic in Steinbecks classic The Grapes of Wrath, says Warden. However much I disagree with the Open Border message, I APPLAUD the zeal in which these activists delivered the message! Long live George Washington, the Boston Tea Party and the Spirit of the American Revolution! Roy Warden roywarden@hotmail.com