Militia offers to help stop caravan raise concern at border

[babylonsister]

Militia offers to help stop caravan raise concern at border
By NOMAAN MERCHANT



HOUSTON (AP) — Militia groups and far-right activists are raising money and announcing plans to head to the Mexican border to help stop the caravan of Central Americans, echoing President Donald Trump’s attacks on the migrants making their way toward the U.S.

Exactly how many militia members will turn out is unclear, and as of Friday, the caravan of about 4,000 people was still some 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) and weeks away from reaching this country.

But the prospect of armed civilians at the border — and the escalating political rhetoric over immigration — have fueled fears of vigilantism at a time when tensions are already running high because of the mail bomb attacks against some of Trump’s critics.

The U.S. Border Patrol this week warned local landowners in Texas that it expects “possible armed civilians” to come onto their property because of the caravan.

Three activists told The Associated Press that they were going to the border or organizing others, and groups on Facebook have posted dire warnings about the caravan. One said it was “imperative that we have boots on the ground.” Another wrote: “WAR! SECURE THE BORDER NOW!”

The militia members said they plan to bring guns and equipment such as bulletproof vests and lend a hand to the Border Patrol to protect against people unlawfully entering the country.

“They’re just laughing in our face,” said Shannon McGauley, president of the Texas Minutemen. “It’s a free-for-all in America.”

more...

https://apnews.com/6cb0dae384cd45ddb9efe49a6aab1789?fbclid=IwAR2pgm4HDPzLoqCzBcpCYevBmqzHo2LF6FWOMgbYVzeiDLDZjJq2tJJZev8

[msongs]

1. remember when the kkk and its sympathizers used to be frowned on? nt

[dameatball]

2. Maybe it is a good idea to have the U.S. military there after all. Just to keep these fools from

murdering people.

[bitterross]

3. Any real President would denounce this and work to stop it. Trump will encourage it.

I have no fear of contradiction when I say I'm sure Trump will encourage this either indirectly or, actually, very directly by praising their patriotism in some way.