August 27 was the first day of the
No Border Encuentro which took place in
Tijuana and
San Diego. The encuentro provided a time and space to become informed and fightback against the border, racism, capitalism and empire. We struggle for dignity, autonomy and freedom of movement for all peoples.
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Acteal. 45 lives were taken.
"Do not forget us"
After gathering on the Amerikan side of the border, a group of about 25 people from many parts of the recognized United States walked across the border into Tijuana, Mexico.
Our first stop was
CITTAC - Centro de Información para Trabajadoras y Trabajadores (the Workers Information Center), for a presentation about the terrible working conditions inside maquiladoras in Tijuana.
From there, we went to visit the remains of a well known maquiladora formerly used to process metals. We were inside the "free trade zone" known as Otay Mesa where there are both functioning and abonded maquiladoras. Otay Mesa, home to maquiladoras for numerous multinational corporations, such as Panasonic, has helped Tijuana earn the distinction as the television production capital of the world.
Otay Mesa looms over an extremly polluted community where many workers (approx. 10,000 families) from the maquiladoras live. According to CITTAC, most maquiladora workers are paid about $50 (amerikan) a week while risking their life, limbs and health. This is a very exploitive form of slavery. In other words, NAFTA is working as it was designed.
For more information on NAFTA, without reading anything or visiting Tijuana, I highly suggust listening to this song by
Ryan Harvey --
The Ballad of NAFTA (mp3)
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CITTAC - Centro de Información para Trabajadoras y Trabajadores
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Enrique explains Otay Mesa
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This was once a maquiladora used for processing metals.
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It is such a toxic environment that the walls rapidly decay
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From Otay Mesa, we walk to look down on the community
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Toxic air, water and dust particles shower this community everyday
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A dumping ground for unwanted waste
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Restricted Area, Dangerous Residues
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tourist bus
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once a spot for fishing and picnics...
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artwork on the side of a rickety home

Hecho en Mexico. 100% Tijuana
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bridge used for crossing the river
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despite growing up in a polluted environment, these kids are still having fun
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playing with crawdads
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smiling for the world
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looking for a bite to eat
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lining up to cross the border and return to San Diego

redesign a sign. stop a minutemen