Like oil and water: Mexican trucks on American soil

'Truck Out' protest at State Capitol brings attention to Mexican truck issue
By Andrew Griffin
Red Dirt Reporter
Posted: April 24, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY – Outraged that the federal government is planning on allowing Mexican truck drivers to drive their loads on the roads of America, dozens of sign-holding and flag-waving truck drivers and their supporters gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to voice their concerns, as part of Monday’s national “Truck Out.”
The North American Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 1994, had a provision allowing for the Mexican trucks to come here to deliver their freight. While it has been delayed for several years, in February it was announced that the federal government would allow 100 Mexican trucking companies to travel beyond the 20-mile limit as part of a one-year pilot program.
But the truckers in front of the State Capitol, concerned about the potential damage this will have on their livelihoods and their country, were having none of it if their signs were any indication, pronouncing, “My Trucker Needs His Job” and “Say No to Mexican Trucks!”
“We’re against this,” said Kay Hutchison, an Oklahoma City-based truck driver. “We can’t believe this is happening.”
Hutchison, and her husband Ed Hutchison, said they’re both concerned that these rattletrap trucks out of Mexico won’t be thoroughly inspected as they head north across the border.
“They could be hauling drugs, illegals, terrorists … who knows what could be in those trailers?” Hutchison said.
Dan Howard, with the Tulsa-based organization Outraged Patriots said state and federal politicians hadn’t been doing enough to protect the trucking industry which he said was already overregulated as it was.
“They are taking from you and giving (jobs) to foreign nationals,” thundered Howard.
Sen. Randy Brogdon, R-Owasso, also spoke, telling the audience that he was introducing legislation to address this issue and by noting that the rally was not only about protecting American truckers but was addressing what the country stands for, which he said was “The rule of law and the sovereignty of these borders.”
Added Brogdon; “Our future won’t be determined by the politicians. It rests solely in the hands and power of the people.”