One Land Defender Turns Military Around at 'No Border Wall' Tree Sit in Lochiel, ArizonaOne land defender turned around a bunch of military, National Guard, today, with a cop rented helicopter coming to the rescue. At the end of the day, the land defenders are still there. Great work KPFA Radio on the ground. O'odham are with land defenders at the tree sit in Lochiel, Arizona, where they don't back down. 'No border wall.' -- Censored News.
By KPFA, Sept. 2, 2026
Tribal members and activists are continuing to occupy tree sits, blockades and a prayer camp at several points along the U.S. / Mexico border in Arizona to resist the expansion of the Trump administration’s border wall, which they say amounts to ecocide and violates Tribal sovereignty.
In Lochiel, Arizona, tensions escalated this morning, with additional federal law enforcement entering areas near the encampment.
Military personnel with the National Guard attempted to use a private road for border wall construction activities but were stopped by a protester.
The move seemed to trigger a larger response by authorities.
A law-enforcement helicopter circled protesters shortly after the National Guard retreated. The helicopter, known as “Hawkeye,” is owned by the private Scottsdale-based company Western Sky Aviation LLC and used by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office for law-enforcement operations, according to online records.
Notably, the blockade is not located in Cochise County, but its sheriff, Mark J. Dannels, has publicly supported militarization at the border.
Protesters say this is a common “method of intimidation.”
Nonetheless, they say they remain committed to peace and protecting “Grandmother” a centuries-old cottonwood tree and this open San Rafael Valley, which has yet to be scarred by the Trump administration’s border wall.
KPFA’s Lauren Schmitt is reporting from the ground and will share coverage throughout the week on the Pacifica Evening News at 6 p.m. on KPFA, KPFK and KFCF, and across the Pacifica Network."
Listen and watch from the Lochiel tree sit, east of Nogales Arizona.
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