More than 30 people in a religious organization’s march along the San Diego, Calif., side of the U.S.-Mexico border were arrested Monday afternoon after trying to push past a line of Border Patrol agents.
Thirty-two people of the estimated 400 present were arrested at Border Field State Park during the march after they did not back away from agents standing in a line in front of the border wall.
“When they reached the enforcement zone, they were stopped by a line of Border Patrol agents in riot gear. Leaders moved forward to offer a ceremonial blessing. Thirty people were taken into custody,” organizing group American Friends Service Committee confirmed Tuesday.
The Quaker organization said those arrested were taken into custody for “nonviolent civil disobedience.”
A CBP spokesperson told the Washington Examiner 32 people were arrested then released.
One of the 32 was taken into custody on the charge of assaulting, resisting, and impeding a federal agent, according to CBP.
The entire march included faith leaders and people who represented several religions, including Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Organizers said they called the march to show solidarity with migrants and call for Congress to shutter all federal immigration and border agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as Customs and Border Protection.
“As a Quaker, I believe there is that of the divine in all of us,” Laura Boyce, associate general secretary for AFSC’s U.S. programs, said in a statement. “This belief calls us to stand with those fleeing violence and poverty, and to call on our government to uphold the human rights of migrants and end the militarization of border communities. In the face of unfounded fear, racism and violence, courageous action is necessary.”
The show of support for migrants comes two weeks after as many as 1,000 people who had traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, from northern Central American countries attempted to swarm the border just a few miles west of where Monday’s beach march took place.
Last week, CBP estimated 6,000 migrants who traveled as part of caravans to Tijuana remain there unable to apply for asylum all at once due to insufficient resources on the U.S. side to process the large group.
