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Friendship Not Fences

State and federal lawmakers from San Diego want the federal government to make sure there's public access to Friendship Park. Activists will gather in the park Saturday. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has

Friendship Not Fences

State and federal lawmakers from San Diego want the federal government to make sure there's public access to Friendship Park. Activists will gather in the park Saturday. KPBS Reporter Amy Isackson has details.

Friendship Park sits at the southwest corner of the United States.

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A chain link fence separates it from Mexico.

For decades, families and friends gathered on both sides to visit.

The Department of Homeland Security plans to build two more fences through the park. They would cut off access and cross-border socializing.

Jill Holslin is with the San Diego Foundation for Change.

She says she and other activists aren't saying don't build the fence.

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Jill Holslin: We're asking them to build the fence in a way that maintains public access to the park, but also honors the needs for border security because we realize it is important. Border security is very important.

Border Patrol officials say smugglers use park goers as camoflauge to do things like sell illegal documents.

Officials say due to construciton visitors must stay behind a barrier about 20 yards from the fence.

Amy Isackson, KPBS news.