Priest Jorge Bautista has reported having been attacked by a CBP agent during a protest in San Francisco Bay. According to his testimony, the projectile hit his face directly while he was participating in a peaceful demonstration against the immigration policies of the US government.
The religious man was injured and was taken to a nearby hospital, which has generated a wave of indignation among human rights organizations and religious communities that demand an immediate investigation into the use of force in the operation.
The incident in San Francisco Bay
The events occurred on October 23 near the Alameda Coast Guard, in the San Francisco Bay area, during a vigil organized to denounce immigration operations and the arrests of people without criminal records. Father Jorge Bautista, identified as a community leader and pastor in Oakland, attended the event dressed in his clerical attire to accompany the protesters.
According to him San Francisco ChronicleBautista received the impact of a pepper balla pepper bullet, fired by a police officer US Border Patrolwhile trying to mediate between protesters and officers. The projectile hit him “just above the chin”, causing visible injuries and the irritating effects of the gas.
Witnesses at the scene said that the demonstration was peaceful and that Bautista did not represent a threat. He was helped by other participants and taken to a hospital in Oakland, where he received medical attention.
According to the same cleric, the attack was premeditated, representing a direct attack against him despite being in a peaceful march.
Official position and possible repercussions
Until now, US Border Patrol has not issued an official statement regarding the incident with Bautista. However, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson noted that CBP agents took various actions to disperse protesters during the protest.
For their part, religious leaders and migrant advocacy groups have demanded a public apology and a transparent investigation. They consider that these types of attacks violate the rights to demonstrate and represent a growing risk for activists and community leaders who support social causes.
The life and work of Jorge Bautista
The father Jorge Bautista He is a recognized figure in the Latino community in California. Of Mexican origin and with more than two decades of legal residence in the United States, he has been characterized by his pastoral work in favor of immigrants, especially in matters of refuge, legal advice and spiritual accompaniment.
During recent years, he has collaborated with local organizations that offer support to people detained by ICE and has participated in campaigns for immigration regularization. His actions have made him an influential voice in the Bay Area, where he combines his religious work with activism focused on social justice.