Protesters Block Migrants: Murrieta Protesters Are Mostly Anti-Immigrant Activists
Protesters block migrant workers from reaching an illegal immigrant processing station on the border. The Los Angeles Times is reporting today, that American citizens in the state of California purposely blocked the migrant workers as they try to make their way to the processing center in Murrieta on Tuesday, CNN reports.
Witnesses at the chaotic scene say that there were around three buses arriving from Texas that contained around 140 undocumented workers who had been detained. These migrants included children, too. They were met with opposition from protesters who carried American flags and signs telling illegals to get out. Police and immigration officials lined the streets as protesters blocked the migrant workers and shouted: “Wake Up! America” and “Stop Illegal Immigration.” Onlookers say that most of the protesters that blocked the migrant workers were anti-immigration activists.
It is expected that over 100 migrant workers from Central America will arrive at one of several immigrant detainee stations on the border, specifically El Centro, New Mexico, and some will be rerouted to sites in various locations of San Diego.
Some migrant children are being transferred to points in San Ysidro. The children of migrants who were blocked by protesters needed medical attention and have been taken to local area hospitals for treatment.
The American protesters say they are tired of paying the cost for illegal immigrants and migrant workers to live in this country, and that the protest is out of concern for the community’s safety both physically and financially. One person states: “wait, they got immediate medical treatment. Our vets take 6 months or longer to get treatment at the VA.”
Some protesters are saying that they are concerned for the many diseases that some of the migrant children have, such as “scabies, polo, chicken pox, TB, lice,” stating “Do YOU not care about YOUR OWN children and community, who will be exposed to these diseases?! Shame on our government who’s job is to protect our American citizens first!!!,” the Facebook commenter continued.
On the other side of the issue, there are Americans of various races who are against the protesters’ aggressive blocking of migrant workers. Some say that everyone should have an opportunity to build a life in America. Others say that Americans should have more tolerance and compassion for fellow human beings: “All I can say is my heart breaks for the kids. And What would JESUS do ask yourself that,” one woman writes.
More migrant workers are expected to arrive in the next couple of days. The protesters are expected to continue fighting for their cause.
