A group of environmentalists in Tijuana walked among beach-goers with signs about the ongoing Tijuana sewage crisis encouraging them to take action on July 2.
That Sunday morning, Tijuana Animal Rights organized a beach cleanup and demonstration to raise awareness of ocean contamination at Playas de Tijuana, with outreach efforts to enact the Plant-Based Treaty in the city among families who enjoyed a day at the beach.
The event included more than 20 volunteers and local activists cleaning the beach by sorting out plastics and other trash found using handheld strainers.
According to Tijuana Animal Save organizers, residents and beach visitors were directed to contact Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila on social media, urging her to start immediate repairs on much-needed infrastructure.
Posters also called on the Mayor of Tijuana, Montserrat Caballero, for help regarding negligent bleach closures.
Organizers said those in attendance witnessed dolphins swimming near the shore and one community member highlighted the increased number of dead animals on shore due to untreated waste.
“They need to act now!”
In a statement following the event, Tijuana Animal Save addressed the local government: “We are simply asking for the government to do the job afforded by the taxpayers. Their job is to keep us safe. Their failure to address this issue over the last few decades has impacted many lives. They need to act now!’’
Tijuana Animal Save volunteers. Photo courtesy of Andrea Diaz. Tijuana Animal Save volunteers collected bags of trash during the beach cleanup on Sunday morning. Photo courtesy of Andrea Diaz. Tijuana Animal Save volunteer picks out trash from the sand. Photo courtesy of Andrea Diaz. 
Tijuana Animal Save volunteer shares information with beach-goer during the cleanup on Sunday morning. Photo courtesy of Andrea Diaz.
Last week, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency regarding the transboundary pollution that has contaminated the Pacific Ocean and closed beaches in Coronado and Imperial Beach.
Tijuana Resident and organizer Andrea Diaz considers dangerous levels of sewage dumped into the ocean a concern among animal rights activists like herself.
“The damage to wildlife and their ecosystems has yet to be examined,” said Diaz. “In addition to this, people on both sides of the border are getting sick. Many people come from other parts of Mexico and Latin America who are entirely in the dark about the issues. The Tijuana government isn’t educating the public on the real dangers.’’
Efforts set to continue
Regarding subsequent efforts working to mitigate the sewage crisis, Diaz said they are in the works for future events to begin taking place in Tijuana later this month.
The organization is also working to partner with San Diego Animal Save, the San Diego extension of The Save Movement, to expand efforts for the Plant-Based Treaty, a multi-step plan addressing climate issues.
