This is just one small reflection of the camp. Apart from this, I am writing
a longer, more detailed version. First of all, I want to say that the camp
was kick-ass (estuvo chingón…), and there was a certain unity. We were able to share ideas, workshops, actions, experiences, work, food, ect…, But, above all, support: in other words, sharing projects and ideas, the knowledge of different things that people are doing in different places. Also, I think that two of the most important goals were achieved. One of the goals was creating an impact upon the local community that was very positive (there were people who would approach us and show interest and encourage us with good spirits). The other goal that was achieved is that each person returns to their communities or spaces to work towards a more solid movement against borders. My experience with the people at the camp was plenty positive. I heard various interesting proposals to continue the work, or from people showing lots of interest to begin work in their own spaces upon returning home. Another of the camp's goals was to create one unified camp. It is somewhat difficult to measure this success. During the camp we had plenty of communication between both sides. We had assemblies and shared different experiences together. Obviously, the wall was there between us, but this was something inevitable, and at the same time, a challenge. What I mean is that perhaps we may not be ready to bust the border down completely because we need many more people and much more work; but, I think that before that step we must learn and work together and form a structure that is very solid so that we may move forward. Also, I believe that without that communication and that first step that was taken, it is difficult to move ahead in the elimination of borders, especially those borders that exist in our minds…

There were also things that failed, but I think that these are part of a
long process…many of them are errors that we are already aware of and in that sense, they are steps forward. In other words, there is a lot of work yet to do and that work cannot be carried out if we do not put forth our time and our dedication. It is very easy to sit on the internet, make a list, contact people and make critiques. But, beyond this, we need to do much fieldwork, with our hands, in mutual support with one another, reflecting, meditating and with hours of patience for creating more solid relationships. There are plenty of things that we must learn and unlearn and they are not things that should make us weak or feel bad. Rather, they should give us more strength. For example, one of the things that we must learn about is the work dynamics. At the camp, we had several problems due to the work dynamics. For example, when more people from the other side crossed, we began to have different dynamics. I'm not wishing to say that certain dynamics are bad. Simply, we need to take care at these points, especially because they are fundamental points; the stronger the roots, the stronger the organization. Just as we strive to break with those divisions, we must, for the same reasons, be even more careful not to overlay one dynamic upon another. Rather, we must seek the most appropriate dynamics for this movement. Obviously, the work dynamics in México are different than those in the USA, just as our fountains of resources are different… Perhaps, for the next camp we can have increased communication regarding food. Something I explained during the camp was about the moments when people on the Mexican side had difficulties getting a meal together, but were successful in the end after cooking for two hours. Suddenly, just before the food was served, people from the other side were distributing food and yogurt bars. I'm not saying this is wrong, and I know that the people in charge of food from the other side worked very hard; simply, we should do these things with more communication and eat at the same time, as we did later. Or establish communication between kitchens. Perhaps, the lack of a general kitchen on the USA side was an obstacle in keeping both sides on the same page. Another thing that failed a bit was the general communication regarding tactics. It is somewhat difficult to reach decisions in large groups, especially within camp because most people do not want to sit in long meetings and, on top of that, there are many tasks to do. But in such a vulnerable space, it was very difficult to have all tactics already set and most plans changing quickly. It's also not always about taking decisions within affinity groups. So, here is one of the experiences that we must learn from. It sounds very easy to resolve, but those that were at the camp know that it is difficult to reach decisions within a large consensus group, especially when it involves reaching agreement between groups on both sides of the wall and in different languages (and this is not only at this camp). Another thing that we lacked was outreach with more workshops and a broader forum, although this does have its reason: on the Mexican side, in my experience, the first part of the camp (more specifically, the first two days), was dedicated to the taking of the camp itself. As we reached the site, the border patrol told us that if we further approached, we would be arrested, and this was at a point where we were still 30 meters from the wall. And so, for most of the time during the first days, we were very stressed, developing tactics for how to move forward towards the fence. So, this became a challenge for many, and perhaps those first days without workshops were rewarded when later we were putting our kitchen close to the gate and turned to see how much we had advanced and this, for many on this side, was a moment of satisfaction at having taken this space. After this, we shared with people, we ate, we sang, we learned, we projected videos simultaneously on both sides and we formed an autonomous zone. And this, at least for me, is a good beginning. Where there is much work to do and, above all, much to contemplate. Personally, I think that prior to any subsequent camp, we must have a great convergence where we can share and discuss more about this process and the experiences of the camp and bring together more people.

PASO A PASO, BRICK BY BRICK, EN APOYO MUTUO Y SOLIDARIDAD DESTRUIREMOS LAS FRONTERAS

H.