Jim Gilchrist and Chris Simcox, Minuteman Project Leaders
at an Interview for Fox News in Arizona taken by: Barbara Lang on the scene on April 18th, 2005

MinuteMan Project

Since 911, American's have been especially concerned about security in our country. When my daughter and I heard about the Minuteman Project here in Arizona, we decided to go down and see for ourselves.

After our visit to the Minuteman we would like to tell you that they are a great group of American Patriots concerned about the border situation here in the US. This is what we learned during our visit there: For years, illegals have been coming across the border. They are dropped off and have to pass over a mountain range. It is a very ardulent trip across those mountains, yet illegals still continue to invade the United States. In addition, what concerns the locals and should concern all of us in America is that terrorists disguised as illegals have come across the borders in this fashion as well. Prayer rugs, post cards written Arabic script, and other such items have been found along the border. Illegal drugs often come across the border, along with dangerous criminals. Women have disappeared along these border towns as well and the locals have a very hard time there.

Disease has increased in our country and there have been 7,000 cases of Leprosy reported in the last 3 years in a country that had almost completely eradicated the disease. Other diseases alleged to be coming across the border are tuberculosis and malaria. Those who live along the border have had to contend with this for years. After 911, they decided to patrol the borders themselves. This was spearheaded by a former Border Patrol Agent, and former Sheriff of San Bernardino County who moved to Arizona. As such, he knew the law and abided by it. His name is Henry Wyatt Harvey Jr. Unfortunately, we mourn him now as he passed away on April 5, 2005 in his long battle with cancer.

Minuteman stationed along the borders in Arizona watch vigil 24 hours a day. Their persistence has shown that the border of America can be protected.

So as you can see these men have experience with the border. When they found illegals coming across it, the first thing they would ask was, "Are there any women or children?". If there were, they would get them water and medical attention right away, of course, not forgetting those males who also might have been in need as well. Subsequently, they would be handed over to the authorities and returned to Mexico. So, they do know how to work properly with the Border Patrol. The problem is that Border Patrol does not have enough agents and they don't work 24 hours around the clock, patrolling the border as the Minuteman are now doing. The point being that if the Government did do this, illegal crossings could be stopped.

Barbara visits the Minuteman Project on the border of Arizona and Mexico. Pictured  here  is  Maxwell  T. Worthington, minuteman  volunteer  from California, Barbara, and Chris Simcox, co-leader of the Minuteman Project in Arizona.

Please visit
www.minutemanproject.com  for additional information.

Written by Barbara Lang
Scottsdale, Arizona
4/19/05