Blackwater Worldwide may have succeeded in opening its Navy training center in Otay Mesa, but it has not succeeded in quieting its critics. More than 100 opponents turned up for a protest Wednesday. KPBS reporter Andrew Phelps was there.
One of the protest signs says "Mercenaries & Democracy Don't Mix." Blackwater provides private security for the State Department. Its guards are under investigation for the shooting deaths of 17 Iraqis in Fallujah.
The company recently opened a counterterroism training center in Otay Mesa. Author and activist Jeremy Scahill says Blackwater's proximity to the border raises concerns that the company's real goal is to privatize the Border Patrol.
Scahill: Blackwater should be willing to meet publicly with anyone who has questions about them, because they are not opening a McDonald's here. You know, this is a notorious corporation that does a very lucrative business providing soldiers for hire.
The company says it has no plans to train mercenaries in San Diego.
Next week, City Attorney Mike Aguirre plans to personally argue a case against Blackwater in federal court. The company is suing San Diego for trying to rescind permits for the training center.
Andrew Phelps, KPBS News.
