Justicia

By Akshan Shah

A 2012 video, taken at the U.S. border in Nogales, Ariz., shows the brutal murder of José Antonio Elena Rodriguez, a 16-year-old child that was killed by U.S. Border Patrol agent Lonnie Schwartz. The case, despite its occurrence seven years ago, is the cause for massive protests at the border today, in 2019. The jury decided recently, in Nov. 2018, that Schwartz was not guilty, despite shooting Rodriguez 1t0 times in the back.

Deborah Gonzalez, an organizer of the School of the Americas Watch, asks “What did we all do when we were 16? Sixteen is a baby. And Lonnie Schwartz, who already had a history of violence, who was an expert marksman, shot José Antonio because he was allegedly throwing rocks.” Schwartz’s attorneys argue that Rodriguez was throwing rocks over the border wall, and that the border patrol agent was fearing for his life. Therefore, the actions of Agent Schwartz were justified and acceptable.

However, examining the scene of the murder, it is clear that such is not the case. José Antonio would have had to throw a rock over an 18 ft wall, between a slim opening separating wall posts, and would have then had to have the power and accuracy to hit someone in the United States. Even an expert MLB pitcher would have had difficulty making this throw, let alone a child, states Gonzalez.

Furthermore, the trial was conducted in an inhumane manner in order to suppress public outcry. When images of José Antonio’s body were shown, his mother and grandmother were not warned. When the jury selection process was taking place, the court did not allow community members to witness the voir dire. Only after protests and petitioning did the courthouse allow five members of the community to be present.

Responses to the case have been earth shaking in the regions of Nogales as well as across the United States. The School of the Americas watch, an organization that aims to end oppressive, imperialistic American policies of militarization at the border, has been consistently protesting this case since 2012. The annual Border Encuentro in Nogales, Ariz., discussed José Antonio as well as protested at the border wall itself.

Ultimately, SOAW and other activist agencies are calling for structural changes to the system that is oppressive and violent towards minority groups of the region. They are calling for “Respect, dignity, justice and the right to self-determination of communities,” an alien concept to those that oppress. Protestors and organizers at the marches shout “¡Presente!” as show of solidarity for José Antonio and for the countless other lives that have been lost.