Team Swims Across US-Mexico Border to Draw Attention to Human Rights Joshua Stewart - San Diego Union-Tribune
go to original May 4, 2017

An international team of swimmers made the border crossing from the U.S. to Mexico by water on Friday. The group's leader said the 12 athletes from five nations swam as a show of support for human rights. (Associated Press)

In support of an organization that advocates for migrants, an international team of swimmers from six countries plans to swim from Imperial Beach to Tijuana on Friday.

Twelve swimmers will cross the border between the United States and Mexico by swimming south in the Pacific Ocean. The swimmers will transverse a 6.2-mile span between Imperial Beach and Tijuana.

“This is an expression of kindness to cast a spotlight that occurs all around the world,” said Kimberly Chambers, one of the event’s organizers and swimmers. “And this is human suffering in our own back yard.”

Their effort is intended to raise awareness and money from the Colibrí Center for Human Rights, a non-profit organization that uses data to help the families of missing migrants in the U.S. and Mexico border region to locate and identify their lost loved ones. This is the first time that the swim between Imperial Beach and Tijuana has occurred, but some of the swimmers who are participating in the upcoming event have previously swam in support of other causes.

The swim begins at 8:30 a.m from the south side of the Imperial Beach Pier. They’ll swim past the surf, and will be accompanied by six kayakers and a support vessel. They’re expected to finish at 12:30 p.m. at Playas de Tijuana where the participants are to be met by a group of 200 children.

Chambers said the swim has approvals from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard, the Mexican Navy, and the Mexican immigration agency.

...Swimmers from New Zealand, Israel, South Africa, Mexico and the United States are expected to participate.

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