Both Sides Say They Will 'Stand Together' to Stop the Buses

Protestors who have been outside the Murrieta Border Patrol station all night are agreeing to stand together to stop the buses of immigrants today and demand humane conditions for the individuals.

As dawn broke on Independence Day over Murrieta Friday morning, a spirit of patriotism and good will appeared to be spreading among demonstrators who initially expressed opposing points of view.

About 5:30 a.m., a small group of people who have stood vigil outside the U.S. Border Patrol station all night began to put aside their differences and focus on the welfare of the undocumented immigrants who reportedly will arrive here by bus later this morning. A peaceful discussion led by activist Pete Santilli resulted in agreement on a major point:

Both those protesting the arrival of the immigrants and those defending their right to be here said they will stand together across Madison Street and stop the buses if -- and when -- they arrive.

Speaking for many in the group, Santilli said they plan to demand that if the immigrants are left here for processing, they be given proper medical treatment. They also plan to demand that they be given proof of adequate housing and care for the individuals.

Santilli even went so far as to suggest members of the media be allowed into the facility to film the conditions under which the immigrants will be housed for the two to three days it will take them to be processed. Local Border Patrol officials have said this facility is not equipped to adequately handle a group as large as 140.

"We want to make sure they're not going to cram 140 people into one cell," said Santilli about the immigrants -- most of whom are from Central America -- who were picked up by federal immigration officials after they crossed the border in Texas.

Santilli, an anti-government talk show host and activist, says he and a group of bikers plan to shut down the U.S.-Mexico border crossing near San Diego this weekend. He claims to have video showing immigrants being dropped off at a bus station in Phoenix three days ago without anywhere to go.

Another concern of the protestors is that, according to Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone, his offer to have the county bring a mobile medical unit here to check the immigrants was refused by federal immigration officials. They want the medical unit to be allowed on site.

This story will be updated throughout the day.


Activist Pete Santilli talks to other protestors about their concerns over the arrival of undocumented immigrants and the care that would be given them.