On Friday, February 1, GPH hosted a screening of the powerful film Undeterred, followed by a panel discussion about community resistance on the U.S./Mexico border, specifically the rural border town of Arivaca, Arizona.
Prior to the first establishment of border control in 1924, border enforcement remained somewhat fluid as people crossed between countries to visit family, grow and sell crops, and live in peace. This peace became threatened after events in the mid-90's and September 11 terrorist attack, which stoked fear and abuse in border towns like Arivaca.
In just 25 years, military presence has increased in both quantity and intensity at border checkpoints. In the film, a former head of border patrol admits to the growing abuse of power and deaths at the border. Mexican and U.S. citizens alike suffer from violent car checks, racial profiling, and other forms of abuse including being beaten, tased, pinned to the ground, and shot. Residents now fear having to leave their homes and cross checkpoints, where much of this violence occurs.
Undeterred characterizes border towns like Arivaca as residing in growing militarized zones that span at least 100 miles inward from the U.S. border. This area is known as the “dead zone” where military-grade weapons are tested and countless lives are lost at the hands of border patrol or due to the arduous journey across the border.“We have had 911 calls because border patrol has chased people off a cliff,” says panelist and Undeterred director Eva Lewis as she recalls her time working for fire patrol. Co-panelist Carlota Wray dually mentions the fear that she and her neighbors share for their children as patrol officers freely walk through the backyards of community members and do as they please.
Undeterred outlines the ways in which communities along the border continue to take a stand against racism and violence. Residents now operate watch stations at checkpoints, humanitarian relief stands, and support organizations within their communities. "Border patrol will be watching," activists chant as they remain undeterred.
For more information about the film and community resistance at the border, click here. For questions about this event, please reach out to gph.events@nyu.edu.
