SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - 32 human rights advocates were arrested and a Border Patrol agent was assaulted at the U.S.-Mexico border Monday during a “week of action” rally to raise awareness of the plight of migrants.
Dozens of marchers walked to Friendship Park and Border Field State Park, where they encountered armed border agents. Officials told the group to move back because they were on federal land, but they allegedly refused, at which point they were arrested.
A Border Patrol agent was assaulted during the encounter but officials did not detail the nature of the assault.
Cities around the U.S. are holding events this week for people to come together and stand in solidarity with the migrants still trying to seek asylum in the U.S.
One group, the American Friends Service Committee, tweeted a map of locations taking part in the week of action.
The group said they are calling on the U.S. to put an end to the militarization of border communities, respect the human right to migrate, and end the detention and deportation of immigrants.
Join the AFSC, our partners, faith leaders, & communities across the country for a week of action as we stand in solidarity with the migrant caravan & all who seek refuge in the U.S. Find a local solidarity event here: https://t.co/Yy7lGz9Hx8 #LoveKnowsNoBorders #MigrantCaravan pic.twitter.com/EnA1t7HZtP
— AFSC (@afsc_org) December 8, 2018
The events come days after new video was released showing migrants, including young children, attempting to cross from Mexico into the U.S.
In the video, some migrants are seen climbing over a fence and walking towards Border Patrol agents after they were warned not to cross.
One agent is heard saying, “I’ll just tell you that you should not be engaged in that. Because it's a felony in the United States, OK? We can charge it as a misdemeanor or a felony.”
