The Border and the Double Standard: When 'Filming Police' Becomes a Shoot-to-Kill Offence
📰 THE STORY: The family of Alex Pretti, shot while allegedly filming Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis, has hired a lawyer prominent in the George Floyd case to pursue justice. The incident involves federal agents, raising questions about jurisdiction and the use of lethal force. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: This incident fits a wider pattern of impunity for US federal
agents, especially those operating near borders. The US Border Patrol, established in 1924, has a long history of excessive force. For example, between 2005 and 2012, 42 people died in encounters with Border Patrol, and over 1,500 complaints of abuse were filed. The vast majority of these cases result in no criminal charges or internal discipline. Double Standard: Imagine coverage if a citizen in
a designated 'enemy' state like Iran or Venezuela was shot by state security forces while filming. Western media would scream 'authoritarianism,' 'human rights abuses,' and 'lack of transparency.' Here, it's often framed as an isolated incident, or official statements dominate, downplaying systemic issues. The 'filming police' narrative is used to justify crackdowns globally, but when it happens
at home, the outrage is selective. Follow the Money: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Border Patrol, receives colossal funding. For FY2024, DHS requested $60.4 billion, a significant portion of which funds agencies like CBP (Customs and Border Protection). This massive budget shields agents from accountability. Furthermore, the private prison industrial complex and border