Mina LiberationDec 11, 2022
Unicorn Riot
NEW: Blockaders Halt Border Wall Construction in Southern Arizona ➡️ Since Nov. 29, a loose collection of locals, environmental activists, hippies and migrant solidarity workers have been putting their bodies in the way of the machines. Full Story: https://unicornriot.ninja/2022/blockaders-halt-border-wall-construction-in-southern-arizona/
​​Blockaders Halt Border Wall Construction in Southern Arizona - UNICORN RIOT

Cochise County, AZ – Seventeen feet above the ground, towering over the native Sonoran grasses and oak saplings of the surrounding bajadas, a group of young people stretched out languidly in the sun, chatting and laughing and playing guitar. In a line to their east, the double-stacked shipping containers beneath them stretched out for over […]

UNICORN RIOT
Dec 10, 2022 at 5:06pmWeb
Show threadUnicorn RiotDec 10, 2022
Blockaders have successfully delayed the work crews for a week and a half, who had been rushing to drop as many shipping containers into the wilderness as possible before Arizona Governor Doug Ducey leaves office in early January.
Show threadUnicorn RiotDec 10, 2022
What began as a tentative experiment in disruption, escalated to a full-fledged encampment earlier this week. When workers switched to night shifts so they could work unimpeded, blockaders started camping on the site to keep watch.
Show threadUnicorn RiotDec 10, 2022
A blockader named Ary said that at first the workers refused to stop working despite the danger posed to those standing in their way. “At first, they were really driving their machines around us really fast,” explained Ary, as he lay among his friends atop the stacked containers.
Show threadUnicorn RiotDec 10, 2022
“Even just the other night, they were still doing that and digging the ground right from under our feet with their excavators, driving very close to people. I think that that just really shows how much money means to these people rather than human life.” -Ary
Show threadUnicorn RiotDec 10, 2022
Thursday was the first day the workers didn’t come to the site at all. A private security guard working with the contractors remained on site, sitting in his truck and sometimes chatting casually with protestors to pass the time.
Show threadUnicorn RiotDec 10, 2022
On Friday, workers reported to the site and asked that blockaders allow them to remove their heavy equipment. They loaded up the machines and drove off down the road. For now, at least, it appears the campaign has successfully shut down destruction at this site.
Show threadUnicorn RiotDec 10, 2022

Whether work will continue at another section of the border remains to be seen. 

“This is what winning looks like,” a protester commented.

Show threadTeufel WolfDec 10, 2022
@UnicornRiot wonder if their insurance provider got wind. No ins company is going to want to insure the equipment, causality and loss, workplace accidents. The equip might also be leased or rented and the real owners might be deceived as to the scope and risk of the work.
Show threadGabe OrtízDec 10, 2022
@UnicornRiot Such a great piece—and thank you to these blockaders. ✨
Show threadPaul ReimerDec 10, 2022
@UnicornRiot For so many reasons, bravo.
Show threadAnarcho DoggoDec 10, 2022
@UnicornRiot thank you so much for covering. Live and solidarity to these blockaders!