Presente.org Demands Justice for Man Slain at Hands of Border Patrol Agents

Presente.org is launching a campaign today seeking justice for Anastasio Hernandez-Rojas, an immigrant slain at the hands of the U.S. Border Patrol agents. Presente’s actions follow revelations by the PBS show Need to Know, which will release a video that elicits haunting reminders of the Rodney King beating, as Anastasio cries out “¡Nooo! ¡Nooo! ¡Déjenme! [Leave me alone!] ¡Nooo! ¡Señores!” Anastasio later died at the hospital.

These disturbing revelations point to how U.S. border agents have been using excessive force and other systematic abuses. Eight people have been killed along the border in the past two years. Nobody knows the names of the Border Patrol Officers involved in the incident. Nobody is being investigated for possible murder.

“This shocking new footage of the death of Anastasio Hernandez-Rojas raises serious questions about the disturbing pattern of violence, death and, possibly, murder at the hands of the Border Patrol,” said Arturo Carmona, executive director of Presente.org. “Equally disturbing is Obama Administration Justice Department’s inability to seriously investigate these deaths. Presente.org joins Anastasio’s widow, Maria Puga and the other families demanding justice.”

“Anastasio’s death, and the deaths of 7 others held by the U.S. Border Patrol, make clear that the largest law-enforcement agency in the country is abusing and even killing citizens and non-citizens with virtual impunity,” said Christian Ramirez, Executive Director of Equality San Diego, sponsors of the Bring Justice Home campaign. “We cannot and will not allow the U.S. Border Patrol to continue to act above the law and demand that President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder immediately order the Justice Department to conduct a serious investigation into the deaths that have occurred since 2010. Anastacio’s widow and the families of other victims have no reasonable explanation for why their beloved relatives were beaten and killed.”

Presente.org’s campaign can be seen here: http://act.presente.org/act/anastasio. A preview of Friday’s PBS broadcast can be seen here:http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/security/video-first-look-crossing-the-line/13597/