Forks Human Rights Group Statement

News Release: 
Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Forks Human Rights Group is proud to stand in support of our community members in this lawsuit. Since 2008, our community members have been going through difficult times due to the racial profiling by Border Patrol agents in our area. We acknowledge the importance of this agency and their job of protecting our borders. We also recognize that some agents have gone beyond their boundaries, showing a lack of professionalism and unethical behavior. Community members are under surveillance as they travel on the roads and go about their daily activities. Traffic stops appear to be made more frequently by Border Patrol agents than local law enforcement officials. Within our community, minorities are targeted based primarily on skin color and stopped for a small swerve over the white line, a headlight being out, driving a few miles over the speed limit or simply for no reason at all; with the subsequent question of “Do you have papers?” The complaints of the plaintiffs represent experiences shared by many people in our community. It takes a great deal of courage to step forward and raise one’s voice. We thank these three community members for stepping forward and speaking to their own experiences, as well as the experiences of our community. Our group strongly believes that all people should have equal human rights regardless of color. We will continue to move forward with the support of our allies for equal rights and opportunities. We hope that this lawsuit will corroborate the statement of Christian Sanchez in his speaking out about the “continual misuse of federal funds” at a station that “has no purpose…no mission”.