3/6/21

By Josh Rubin

One day we may, from greater distance, understand the history of the Matamoros migrant encampment. We will see how it fit in with a broader movement. Something along the lines of another manifestation of the coalescence of migrants, forced by social disaster to leave their homes and make their way north. Key to our understanding must be the resistance, like that represented by the caravans, to the scattering of souls that so often ends in exploitation, persecution, and death. Like the caravans, congregations such as the camp along the river at the northern extreme of Mexico are acts of protection from predators. And, and, and. Protection from invisibility.

Think of it as an occupation. Think of it as land seized to be homes for the homeless. Think of it as defiance. You will not let us cross but we will stay here, we will not leave. Watch us cook and clean and care for our children. We are still here, the message from the camp we heard over and over.

And threat after threat from the local authorities. We will move you. Where no one will see you. And time after time, resistance. And the camp stayed. And then came the long ending. The fencing, with razor wire, that turned an occupation into a prison. Access controlled. Collaborators identified.

Outflanked. Agreements reached. Many cross to safety. Some, their numbers reduced, their protection weakened, stand waiting for their turn. Some scatter. Mexico can’t wait to reclaim its territory.

We must not forget what we have seen. When we learn to tell the story, we must tell it again and again.