California’s border wall expansion continues: Razor Wire installed at Friendship Park

San Diego, California – U.S. Marines deployed to the San Diego region have been hard at work since late January installing razor wire along the border barrier, with the goal of preventing migrants from crossing over. This week, the Marines focused their efforts on Friendship Park, a spot located on a bluff above the Pacific Ocean and a historic meeting place for families divided by the U.S.-Mexico border.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship Park was a rare location where people from both sides of the border could interact, visiting the border wall to connect with loved ones. But since the pandemic and the increasing militarization of the border under the Trump administration, public access has been limited, and the installation of razor wire has made it even less likely that the park will return to its original purpose.

Dan Watman, a member of the binational group Friends of Friendship Park, strongly opposed the razor wire installation, calling it a symbolic gesture of separation and division. “It’s just sending that message of division and separation,” Watman said. “We strongly believe this can’t last; it’s based on such a false narrative.” Watman also criticized the U.S. government for not following through on earlier commitments. He pointed to a written promise from acting U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Troy Miller in December, pledging to restore public access to the park and replant the cross-border Friendship Garden.

In response, the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol have defended the need for new barriers, stating that the existing walls were falling apart and posed a danger to both the public and the agents who patrol the area. However, despite earlier assurances, the new walls and razor wire now obstruct the location where the Friendship Garden was supposed to be replanted.

Watman argued that the concertina wire is a safety hazard, particularly for those on the south side of the wall where public gatherings and community celebrations often take place. He shared concerns about the potential for injury, recalling a conversation with a Marine officer who voiced worry about the dangers razor wire could pose to children on the other side of the barrier.

While the Trump administration has deployed thousands of military personnel to the border as part of its efforts to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, Watman believes the military presence is excessive. He argued that fostering connections between communities on both sides of the border would be more effective in promoting security and mutual understanding. Instead, he contends, the current approach deepens the divide and undermines any chance for cross-border cooperation.