U.S. Side of Binational Garden Destroyed

This video was shot by Dan Watman on September 8, 2023

Editor’s note: The following article is a mixture of two newsletters from Friendship Park. 

September 9, 2023

Yesterday federal contractors bulldozed the U.S. side of the Binational Garden at Friendship Park. More than ever, those of us who believe in friendship on the U.S.-Mexico border need to support each other.

In honor of Friendship Park’s 52nd Anniversary, which is August 18, our goal is to raise $52,000 by September 19th. We are also hoping to find 52 new monthly donors who give between $5 and $500 per month.

Will you be one of those?  Can you make a monthly donation of $50 per month?

We appreciate anything you feel you can give.

Please donate HERE: https://givebutter.com/FP52/nanzimuro

• MAKE A DONATION TOTALING $52 OR MORE and we will fly a kite in your honor over Friendship Park.
• MAKE A DONATION TOTALING $152 OR MORE and we will fly a kite with your name on it over Friendship Park. We will send you a photo to prove it!
• MAKE A DONATION TOTALING $520 OR MORE and we will fly a large kite with your Company Name or custom message over Friendship Park. We will send you an 8 x 10 print, suitable for framing, along with the digital files. To learn more about this unique opportunity, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with our sponsorship team.

Thank you for being so supportive of Friendship Park and all it represents to so many.

P.S. Here are some key accomplishments achieved by FOFP over these last few months, and a preview of where we go from here!

Our efforts this year have been largely dedicated  to our STOP THE WALL campaign.  These efforts have been championed by 17 members of  Congress, elected officials at every level of government, a roster of high-profile civic leaders from across the State, and hundreds of faith leaders, organizational leaders, educators, and design and medical professionals. Thousands of people like you have signed on in support of Friendship Park!

This new support positions us to accomplish four main objectives in the coming year:

1. TAKE THE MESSAGE OF FRIENDSHIP PARK “ON THE ROAD.” We have secured a commitment from US Border Patrol  officials to entrust the panels of the old primary wall at Friendship Park to the Museum of US, located in the heart of San Diego’s Balboa Park. The Friends of Friendship Park will be the “subject matter experts” in creating the content that will accompany exhibits and this and other venues TBD.
2. RESUME HOSTING REUNIONS FOR SEPARATED  FAMILIES. We have also secured a commitment from US Border Patrol to reestablish “visiting hours” at Friendship Park once the new  construction is complete (anticipated November  2023).
3. CONTINUE OUR SUPPORT OF THE BORDER CHURCH, BINATIONAL GARDEN AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES OF  FRIENDSHIP PARK. Across the past decade we have built a team of grassroots leaders who are the heart and soul of Friendship Park.
4. CONTINUE THE WEEKLY MEAL FOR MIGRANTS. Through our collaboration with Via International and residents from the Casa de Luz shelter in Tijuana, we will continue to serve a hot meal to 100 migrants and  community members each Sunday afternoon at the park.

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