Blackwater's California Wildfire Relief Efforts Backfire With Local Residents

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/11/15/blackwaters-california-w_n_72626.html

Blackwater's California Wildfire Relief Efforts Backfire With Local Residents
Michael Roston
November 15, 2007 01:30 AM

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"There were some people who were attempting to bring supplies up but they were turned away by the Sheriff's Deputy," in Potrero, said Raymond Lutz, Coordinator of Citizens Oversight Projects, which is fighting the Blackwater West facility. "Blackwater came in at the same time, and they gave supplies to people who came up, and the relief station was manned by pro-Blackwater people, and they made their Blackwater hat pins available. It was orchestrated."

Blackwater USA denies that it had any privileged access to the areas affected by the fire.

"Anyone delivering supplies during the time that we were could have passed through the checkpoint traveling from Campo to Potrero," Tyrell insisted. "Based on the obvious trailer full of stuff and explanation, you were permitted to proceed."

But whether or not the company had privileged access, its temporary tent housing isn't getting many takers. The San Diego Union Tribute reported that only two displaced residents were sleeping in the facility, which is being run by relief workers from the Churches of Christ.

"A lot of people I talked to, they're not really interested because of Blackwater," said one local resident.

To an activist fighting the west coast base, it wasn't a surprise that local residents expressed concern.

"They will get special access to authorities, and they are by definition not under anybody's laws yet again," argued Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign. "The way they did it underscores why people are worried about them."

--IMM