Indigenous Peoples and Human Rights

August 28, 2007

Arivaca, keeping it real

Here's a photo of the town of Arivaca, Arizona, in response to an incorrect comment received about the U.S. spy tower here. The reader said the spy tower did not matter, because there wasn't even a store in Arivaca. Not only are there stores, but there are many people living in Arivaca who are willing to voice opposition to the U.S. spying on private citizens. Photo Brenda Norrell (August 2007)


It's good to read the local Connection newspaper in Arivaca and see people living here are keeping alive the art of writing.

Here's the link to an update from C Hues in Arivaca on the spy towers from the Connection newspaper:
(Photo Arivaca spy tower/Brenda Norrell)
More links at Arivaca.net
Spy towers in southern Arizona, including Tohono O'odham Nation, still aren't working, Boeing selects new manager

Boeing names Korte SBInet program manager
August 23, 2ooy
By Alice Lipowicz
Washington Technology
Boeing Co. has named a new program manager for the Secure Border Initiative Network border surveillance system, which is one of the largest contracts awarded by the Homeland Security Department.
On Aug. 13, Daniel Korte took over as Boeing’s program manager for SBInet, replacing Jerry McElwee, who will assist in the transition and will remain at Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems unit, said Eric Mazzacone, a Boeing spokesman. DHS awarded the estimated $8 billion contract to Boeing in September 2006 for a surveillance system along the southwest U.S. border. The Chicago-based company is currently implementing its first task order, known as Project 28, along a 28-mile section of the border in Arizona. While Project 28 initially was set to go live in mid-June, to date it is not fully operational. In Project 28, Boeing has installed nine towers with cameras, radar, various other sensors and communications networks near the border. The goal of SBInet is to integrate those systems so they can be used to effectively provide border patrol agents with information to assist them in identifying and apprehending illegal aliens who cross the border.
In recent weeks, DHS officials have acknowledged problems with integrating the systems and making them operational. The program also has been controversial among border communities, some of whom are complaining of privacy loss, environmental impacts and other concerns as a result of the SBInet system.
Read full story:

2 comments:

Chris O'Byrne said...

Thank you for this post, Brenda. I am one of the estimated 1500 people that live in the Arivaca area and I can assure you that we are disgusted by what we see every day down here. The tower is considered a joke because of its ineffective placement and a serious affront because it continuously spies on the legal citizens of this country. Since when did such surveillance become legal? Again, thank you for your vigilance and for providing a forum for open communication.

Anonymous said...

I am also one of the so-called free
not-wanting to conform citizens of
Arivaca.I love this little community.Key word Community.Why
can't we work together and stop the border issues.Not spy on innocent people like they did me in
my home in the middle of the night on horseback.Talk about scared.I am a private citizen not an illigal
immigrant or a drug person