Activists protesting construction of the double border wall in the San Rafael Valley reported Monday that some 200 Border Patrol agents forcibly entered their camp on private property and began arresting protesters attempting to protect an ancient cottonwood tree.
Kate Scott of Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center, a spokesperson for the activists, said “over 50” vehicles and “over 200” agents arrived at the protest site around 6:30 a.m. on Monday as the activists were gathering for their sunrise prayer ceremony, forced them off the access road being used by contractors building the wall and then entered their encampment on private land, continuing to push them further away from the construction site.
“We were around the grandmother at the time. We said we’re in prayer. We want to finish our ceremony,” Scott said.
“We locked arms. They started to physically force us back very violently. The agents got out of a van carrying T-poles for fencing and began to clip the private property fence, entering it with very heavy-duty T-poles, not like the kind you see for cattle fencing, and created another border wall. … We’re saying, you know, this is private property. You have no right. It didn’t matter.”
Kate Scott at the site of the last “grandmother” tree that was toppled on Monday. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Border Patrol agents outside the entrance to the protest encampment. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Border Patrol agents entered the protest encampment on private land, just beyond construction of the border wall. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Remants of the last “grandmother” cottonwood are loaded up to be hauled away. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Remants of the last “grandmother” cottonwood are loaded up to be hauled away. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Border Patrol agents at a staging ground east of Lochiel. (Photos by Dave LUmia) 
A dozen or more Border Patrol vehicles were stationed about a mile west of the protest site on Monday afternoon. (Photos by Dave Lumia) 
Protesters gathered Monday outside the Sonoita Border Patrol station. (Photos by Dave Lumia)
Scott said agents physically confronted the protesters, including one who placed a knee on the neck of a protester while she was on the ground, and once inside the encampment began disrupting the campsite. Video and an Instagram livestream showed the heavily armed agents surrounding and in some cases shoving the protesters. The “grandmother” cottonwood that had been the focal point of the protest was toppled shortly after 8 a.m.
Scott said she was aware of 10 protesters who were arrested and believed to be taken to the Border Patrol station in Sonoita, and another 10 who were cited and released for violating a U.S. Forest Service Border Wall Construction Closure Order “to protect public health and safety during construction of the international border wall.”
She said she knew of several protesters who were injured, but none seriously.
Laurie Butler, who had given permission to the protesters to camp on her property, said she was not contacted by the Border Patrol prior to their arrival on her land. She described the outcome as “heartbreaking” and “depressing.”
“They have no respect for people or the law,” Butler said in a phone interview.
Shortly after news of the action was circulated on social media, a group of six protesters arrived at the Sonoita Border Patrol station with protest signs. The group grew larger later in the day.
“We’re here because Border Patrol kidnapped our friends and we want them back,” said one of the protesters.
“This is definitely not the end of anything,” said another, who identified herself as “Sarah.” “If anything, this is the beginning of continued resistance.”
The Border Patrol did not respond to PRT inquiries for comment regarding its actions in Lochiel.