Protesters push for closure of Amado border checkpoint

A community hearing and sit-in Wednesday morning demanding the closure of the Arivaca Road Border Patrol checkpoint ended peacefully with no arrests or citations.

People Helping People along with Arivaca residents marched toward the checkpoint holding signs and chanting “Check yourself BP, stop watching our community,” at about 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The sit-in, part of a planned day of action with protests in seven Southern Arizona border communities, called for the demilitarization of what they say is the ever-expanding “border zone.”

The Border Patrol was on hand with extra agents staffing the checkpoint in case of a disturbance.

Pima County sheriff’s deputies also were there to write citations and make arrests, if necessary.

“If they pose a safety hazard to the general public, we’ll have to step in,” said Manuel Padilla Jr., Tucson Sector Border Patrol chief. “But we’re going to listen to their issues and look for common ground to continue future dialogue.”

There’s a lack of understanding by the public as to why checkpoints are in place, Padilla said, calling them a critical part of border protection.

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Arivaca resident John Beavers expressed his support of the checkpoint as he drove through during the protest. “We need this here.”

Although the protesters marched up to the checkpoint itself, they never obstructed traffic, staying on the shoulder as the deputies and border agents made sure they stayed past the painted line.

The interaction between protesters and law enforcement remained civil, with deputies thanking community members as they complied with requests to stay off the road.

While supporters continued to chant and cheer in support, residents began voicing concerns during the community hearing.

“They see my brown skin and sometimes they need my ID to prove I’m a citizen,” one woman said.

Another resident said the checkpoint was disruptive to the privacy of community members, with agents walking around with guns and “helicopters all over.”

In 2014, U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva announced plans to hold a congressional hearing on the negative aspects of Border Patrol checkpoints, but a date still hasn’t been set.