'No More Deaths' Volunteers Face Possible Jail Time For Aiding Migrants

[G_j]

(Sentencing is today, March 1st)

https://www.npr.org/2019/02/28/699010462/no-more-deaths-volunteers-face-possible-prison-time-for-aiding-migrants?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social

For years, volunteers have left food and water in remote stretches of desert along the U.S.-Mexico border. They say they're trying to save the lives of migrants making the dangerous crossing. But the government argues these volunteers are encouraging illegal immigration.

Now several volunteers face jail time when they're sentenced on Friday.

"What we've seen in the last two years is a real escalation," said Catherine Gaffney, a spokeswoman for the activist group No More Deaths.

Four of the group's volunteers were convicted of misdemeanors after leaving water and other supplies in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge near Ajo, Ariz. They face up to six months in jail.

At their trial last month, prosecutors accused the volunteers of giving "false hope" to migrants.

..more...

Last year, No More Deaths released this video of a Border Patrol agent standing over a row of plastic water jugs that were intended for migrants

[llmart]

1. Accused of giving "false hope"???

Oh, the horrors of giving a desperate human being some hope!! Or some sustenance. What a crime!!

I'd wear my jail time as a badge of honor if it came to that. It's nice to hear we still have compassionate people in our country who will put themselves on the line for something they believe is inhumane.

[mr_lebowski]

2. Seems like the key would be to stop saying 'why you're doing it' ...

Then make them PROVE you weren't just littering.

If you ain't admitting 'I'm part of no more deaths and I'm helping migrants', how will they prove what your intention was?

[Cerulean Southpaw]

3. good idea in theory

but it probably wouldn't work unless the jury already wants to say you're not guilty. they're going to want to hear some reason you carried food and water out into the desert where migrants cross and the prosecutor is going to give them one believable reason. if the jury isn't already sympathetic then not giving them a different reason might be worse than giving one that could make them show some compassion.

[mr_lebowski]

4. Fair Point. So ... take some pictures of lizards and cactuses and birds and shit in the desert

Then blow a few of them up, put 'em on your walls at home. Post some pics of photos on the walls at your house ... on your FB account. Talk to friends about how this is your new hobby.

Et Voila, you're a nature photographer. You accidentally forgot some food and water bottles when you were out taking wildlife photos.

Now, prosecutor ... prove I'm lying?

I know it's a bit elaborate, but ... not THAT hard.

[Cerulean Southpaw]

5. I like it.

laying the groundwork for it is easy

[G_j]

6. Update

One of these women is the daughter of a friend. He reports, “My daughter was just sentenced to 15 months probation and a $250 fine.”

[Solly Mack]

7. K&R