Phone conversation with Agent Alvarado on Sat 25 of july 2015

“I just wanted to confirm that we’re not able to fly OR MAKE kites at Friendship Park.”

“That’s correct.  We’ve been very flexible, opening the door to let people in, in the secondary barrier, opening the large sliding door, the door in the primary barrier.  All things that haven’t been done recently if ever.”

“The great thing that CBP has done since you’ve been there is let families into the garden.  This is a change and a very good thing.  The other things you mentioned actually had already been  done last year.”

“Yes.  We’re flexible but we can’t be flexible on everything.  Take the 25 person rule, for example or the no touch policy but we’ll try to accommodate and be flexible when we can.  Things are really active right now.  I had to go help apprehend two people today near the garden, that’s why I didn’t answer when you called.  Had to close it down to do it.”

“Oh so it’s not a permanent think about no workshops.  You’ll be open to the possibility in the future.”

“I’m just going by what my command said and they said no workshops.  We want to stick to the purpose of the circles which is for families to meet.”

“Ok, so I have this Border encuentro project where we come up with workshops with the idea of people making friends under a common interest theme.  Is that going to be even possible any more?”

“Oh, yeah, the circle is for friends and family, that’s what it’s all about.  My bosses just don’t want other things to bet the priority.”

“Ah, I think I understand, I guess it’s just a question of explaining to them that that IS the purose of the events.  That we wouldn’t do them at Friendship Park if the main objective was just doing salsa or yoga whatever.  The whole reason I dream up these ideas is to find a way where people can find a common interest to make friends.  That’s cool, I can bring that up with them later on.”

“Well they get that about friendship.”

“Why aren’t they letting the event happen then?”

“Well” in a calm voice, “I gues I’ll have to repeat myself again.  It’s the objects that people bring in, that’s why we had to hesitation about the fandango and the drumming event.”

“Well, you’re not repeating yourself.  That’s a different explanation.  The other was that CBP wanted to give priority to families.”

“Well, what it comes down to is that it’s just not allowed.”

“Ok, can’t really argue with that, fine.  Did you get the email about the TRAN meeting?”

“Yeah, I remember it.  We’re changing it to Tuesday right?  We can make that work.”

“Oh good.  Yeah, I talked to the group and everyone is ok with changing to Tues since that works better for you.”

“Yeah, that’s fine.  Probably don’t want to tell them that every last Tues is ok, I’m not sure it will always work.”

“That’s ok.  This is the last meeting before the the month.  A big part of why we want to do it at FP is cause we wanted to make sure you/CBP is involved and has an understanding of the event and that we are following the enforcement rules along the way. I’ll send an email confirming it all.”

“Fantastic.”