Block Blackwater: Sign the new letter to San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders
Thank you, Mayor: Now block Blackwater before it’s too late
Blackwater has shocking new plans to build a base of operations in San Diego, just three blocks from the Mexican border.
The one man standing in the way of Blackwater is Jerry Sanders, the Mayor of San Diego. He just launched an investigation, starting immediately and ending on May 23, into the false pretenses Blackwater used to obtain a city permit for their "vocational trade school," evading public scrutiny by filing it under "Raven Development Group" (a Blackwater subsidiary). In addition, the name on design plans reviewed by the city was "Southwest Law Enforcement," not Blackwater USA.
The danger from Blackwater does not end at the San Diego city limits. And it certainly will not end with the conclusion of this investigation. When it comes to the threat to Californians that is Blackwater, we are ALL citizens of San Diego.
That’s why we need Mayor Sanders to take further leadership now to protect San Diego — and California — from Blackwater. No matter where you live, please sign this letter to Mayor Sanders today. We will deliver your signatures to the Mayor as well as Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, and Congressman Bob Filner:
Dear Mayor Jerry Sanders,
As Californians, we, the undersigned, would like to thank you for launching an investigation into the questionable process by which Blackwater obtained a permit to establish a "vocational trade school" in Otay Mesa, just three blocks from the Mexican border.
As you indicated in your letter to Jay Goldstone, San Diego’s chief operating officer, ordering the investigation, it appears that Blackwater has attempted to evade public scrutiny:"Questions have been raised as to the appropriateness of this location for the uses planned by Blackwater and the means used by the company to acquire the necessary permits from the City. Specifically, allegations have been made that the company potentially used misleading names such as Southwestern Law Enforcement to inappropriately disguise the true identity of the occupant."
This isn’t the first time that Blackwater has tried to hold itself above the law, and it likely won’t be the last. As ABC News recently reported, "Blackwater has been accused of tax fraud, improper use of force, arms trafficking and overbilling connected to its work for the U.S. government in Iraq. A grand jury, federal prosecutors and congressional investigators are all currently probing allegations against the company." And now, you are as well, on behalf of the citizens of San Diego as well as California.
We do not know what your specific investigation will reveal, but we hope it will be conducted transparently and in full co-operation with the San Diego City Council. What we do know is that — no matter the results of this inquiry — Blackwater should not be setting up shop in California, seeking to eventually privatize our border security or our emergency services in the event of a natural disaster.
The consequences for California could be catastrophic. In a letter to you on May 1, Congressman Bob Filner warned that, "as a private company hired by the federal government, Blackwater lacks accountability to government agencies. Once in operation, there would be very little or no oversight governing Blackwater’s operations in our border community."
We, the undersigned, implore you to assert your leadership today as perhaps the only elected official who can firmly stand between Blackwater and the border. Do you want to be the mayor responsible for allowing Blackwater into California? Is that the legacy you want to leave? You have the power, both in your office and in your local leadership, to bring together a community coalition that can block Blackwater before they establish a permanent base of operations in California.
As far as Blackwater is concerned, you are now "California’s Mayor". And, as Californians, we are asking you to stand up for all of us now, before it’s too late.
cc: Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer, Congressman Bob Filner