Friendship Park: A Heavily Fortified Meeting Point Along US-Mexican Border Fence David Sim - IBTimes
go to original May 9, 2016

For a brief moment the US-Mexico border was opened for families. These families were separated for years because of our broken immigration system. (Fusion)

Friendship Park. The name has a lovely ring to it, conjuring up images of families playing together joyfully. The reality is far grimmer; an 18-foot galvanised metal fence – fortified with sensors, lighting, radars and cameras – that keeps family members apart.

The park in San Diego is the only spot in the US-Mexico border fence where people can speak to friends, family members and lovers on the other side – under heavy security at severely restricted weekend hours. The mesh fence has tiny holes in it, allowing people to get a glimpse of each other, and perhaps put a little finger through to touch them.

It was all supposed to be very different. Friendship Park was opened by First Lady Pat Nixon in August 1971 as part of her efforts to promote US-Mexican relations. As she shook hands with Mexicans that day, she was reported as saying: "I hope there won't be a fence here too long. I hate to see a fence anywhere."

First lady Pat Nixon shakes hands with Mexicans through strands of barbed wire as she visits Friendship Park in August 1971 (US National Archives and Records Administration)

The park allowed access for people on both sides of the frontier, with picnic tables and swings. It was a place for cross-border weddings, church services, Christmas parties and even yoga classes. In 1994 the United States raised a mesh fence to stop drug traffickers and illegal immigrants, but families could sit on either side of the fence to kiss through it, talk and touch one another, even as US border agents nearby patrolled to keep out job-hungry illegal immigrants, terrorists and smugglers. The fence became a popular spot for separated lovers, who would pass notes on Valentine's Day.

In 2009, the US closed the park and built a second larger barrier, sealing off access for Mexicans on the US side unless they take part in highly regulated visits. The authorities allow access to the original border fence for just four hours on Saturdays and Sundays, in groups of up to 25 people who have been vetted by US agents.

Read the rest and see photos at IBTimes

Related: Celebrating Mother’s Day Along the U.S./Mexico Border (CW6)

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