Apr 24 2012
New Evidence Surfaces in Death of Undocumented San Diego Resident on the Border
Nearly two years ago, a 42 year old man named Anastacio Hernandez Rojas died after being beaten and tased by Border Patrol agents who were in the process of deporting him to Mexico. Rojas, a husband, and father of five, had lived in San Diego for more than ten years. In justifying his beating, Border Patrol agents claimed he had become violent. The Attorney overseeing his case said that a quantity of methamphetamine was found in his blood at the time of death by the coronor and the case was then dismissed without anyone involved being charged. However, Rojas’ death was ruled a “homicide” by the San Diego medical examiner, and while his death brought some media attention in 2010, it quickly faded away — until now.
As a result of investigative journalism, two videos by witnesses have revealed that Rojas was handcuffed and on the ground when he was repeatedly beaten and tased. A new documentary that aired this past Friday on PBS, and that is available for viewing online, explored Rojas’ death, and the new evidence that has come to light. Meanwhile, Rojas’ family has filed a wrongful death suit against the federal government and 12 agents involved. The online organization, Presente.org is in the process of gathering signatures for a petition aimed at Attorney General Eric Holder demanding a federal investigation.
Watch a video of the interview here:
On April 24, 2012, Uprising host Sonali Kolhatkar interviewed John Carlos Frey, the investigative journalist who has extensively researched the case and helped track down witnesses.
Visit www.presente.org to sign the petition.
Martina Steiner recorded this interview.
4 Responses to “New Evidence Surfaces in Death of Undocumented San Diego Resident on the Border”
f stumbled on John Carlos Frey’s 2002 film “Gatekeeper” just prior to this year’s Presidential election and was completely overwhelmed and won over by this compelling, film, its straightforward telling and the exquisite performances of the actors, who brought home the humanity and courage of people who have contributed so much to our society and culture and who are frequently brutalized, when they are not made invisible, by our North American arrogance, ignorance and insensitivity.
I was motivated to look further into Frey’s investigative reporting and reasoned, rational activism. The fate of Anastacio Rojas is unconscionable, so far from the ideals of the USA that it makes me weep.
President Obama faces a myriad of critical decisions this term, against some horrific opposition. Among the most important is immigration reform.
I would like to see “Gatekeeper”, Frey’s other stunning videos, and his intelligent advocacy highlighted while the U.S. re-examines its immigration policies. We have the opportunity to to side with the angels on this one. I think the citizens who re-elected our first black President, a man characterized by his identification with those struggling for a better life, need to see the human faces be3hind the rhetoric and numbers. If we see with open minds and hearts, I think we , and the government we elect, will make the right, the good, decision.
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