Bisbee Pride Tarnished by Controversial Border Patrol Detentions

Just minutes before the 21st annual Bisbee Pride Parade kicked off on Saturday, Border Patrol agents conducted several detentions on Main Street, causing a stir among attendees. Around 9:30 a.m., onlookers witnessed agents pull over a vehicle in the heart of Old Bisbee. Reports indicated the presence of a low-flying helicopter and a nearby plane, while video footage captured multiple patrol horses as the scene unfolded.

Local resident Emily Cayer, who has lived in Bisbee for 16 years, noted the helicopter’s menacing presence. “It didn’t feel like a medical or news helicopter—it felt threatening,” she remarked. While residents are familiar with Border Patrol activities near the U.S.-Mexico border, such enforcement in Old Bisbee is uncommon. “It’s concerning at any time, but for them to detain people during Pride weekend definitely feels like a statement,” Cayer added.

Witness Colleen Pardee reported seeing four individuals handcuffed and pressed against a vehicle, with another observer confirming that two people were taken into custody. Pardee described the scene, unfolding in the parade’s pathway, as “right in your face.”

It remains uncertain whether the detained individuals were participants in the Pride festivities or merely in the area by chance. As the arrests took place, attendees began chanting “Shame! Shame!” in protest. Bystander Jacob Brown expressed that the atmosphere felt urgent, with many eager to intervene but unable to do so in the heat of the moment.

Another resident, who identified as Celia, shared the confusion among local shopkeepers. The incident left her feeling anxious and hurt, characterizing Bisbee—a town known for its queer art scene—as having been “invaded” by immigration agents. The detainment served as a harsh reminder that immigration enforcement is not confined to urban areas.

Alix Monty traveled from Tempe with their children, expecting a safer environment during Pride. Instead, they encountered what they deemed an intimidating display. “Apparently, we’re not safe in Bisbee,” Monty said. They perceived the detainment near Pride Village as a strategic act, a “show of force or scare tactic” intended to intimidate attendees. This perception highlighted a chilling message: control rests with authorities, not the community.

Monty had hoped for a weekend devoid of such tensions, especially amidst a backdrop of increasing violence and governmental crackdowns. “It feels like that was ruined,” they lamented, stating the incident evoked significant trauma.