A growing parade of bikers started their journey to Mexico to free imprisoned Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi. Sgt. Tahmooressi was jailed in Mexico this spring when, according to the marine, he accidentally crossed the border with three registered guns. The Marine veteran, with two tours of duty in Afghanistan, has been paying for his alleged error for months. Sgt. Tahmooressi is charged with weapons trafficking by Mexican officials. The marine placed a call to 9-1-1 once the Mexican authorities discovered the weapons.
John Harrington led the cavalcade to free Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi from a Mexican prison after, according to Harrington, the Obama administration wouldn’t fight to free the Marine Sargent. Harrington says he and the other bikers decided to act after Obama orchestrated the exchange of five Taliban prisoners for an American POW . “Obama said he doesn’t leave anyone behind,” Harringhton said. “He doesn’t leave traitors behind,” Harrington continued, adding that the President “left four behind in Benghazi and he’s leaving our man behind here.” According to the Washington Times , the imprisoned marine also suffers from PTSD after his tours of duty.
“I started last Thursday, to organize the ride on the border to demand the release of Sgt. Tahmooressi. Somebody has to stand up for these guys,” Harrighton told the Channel 3 reporter.”It’s time we start fighting liars with fires. And that’s what we’re doing.” The Marine’s mother, Jill Tahmooressi, placed a petition on the White House’s website asking the Obama administration for help. The petition exceeded the 100,000 signatures needed for a response.
Mexican police say they found three weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in the marine’s truck after he crossed the border into Tijuana. While supporters say that the cross into Mexico was accidental, the LA Times reported that hours before the Marine reservist’s arrest, he had checked into a Tijuana hotel. The LA Times also reported that Tahmooressi is believed to have a girlfriend in Mexico.
This week a protest at the border to Mexico demanded the marine’s release. Lewis Winnecour, an 82-year-old Korean War veteran, told the Washington Times he took a bus from Pittsburgh to show his support. “I’m an old soldier who still believes in his oath,” Mr. Winnecour told the reporter. “I believe if the president picked up the phone, we’d probably get him back, but citizens have to take action when the government won’t.”
Do you support the bikers’ ride to Mexico to save the US Marine in prison on weapons trafficking charges?