Seesaws let kids on each side of US-Mexico border play together

Pink seesaws have been installed by a pair of Californian professors at a border fence separating New Mexico and Mexico - allowing kids on either side to play together.

Kids plays on a seesaw installed between the steel fence that divides Mexico from the United States.

Kids plays in a seesaw installed between the steel fence that divides Mexico from the United States. Source: AP

Two California professors have installed seesaws across the US-Mexico border in a blunt rebuke to President Donald Trump over his plans to build a wall along the 2,000-mile boundary between the two countries.

The three pink seesaws were unveiled on Monday at a border fence separating Sunland Park, in New Mexico, and Ciudad Juarez, in Mexico, allowing kids and adults on either side to play together.

A kid plays n a seesaw installed between the steel fence that divides Mexico from the United States.
A kid plays n a seesaw installed between the steel fence that divides Mexico from the United States. Source: AP


Ronald Rael, a professor of architecture at the University of California Berkeley who came up with the project with Virginia San Fratello, a professor of design at San Jose University, said the idea for "Teetertotter Wall" had been in the making for a decade.

He said seeing the project come to life was "one of the most incredible experiences" for him and Ms Fratello, describing the event at the border as "filled with joy, excitement, and togetherness."

Seesaws in use at the border.
Seesaws in use at the border. Source: AP


"The wall became a literal fulcrum for US-Mexico relations and children and adults were connected in meaningful ways on both sides with the recognition that the actions that take place on one side have a direct consequence on the other side," he added.

Video and pictures of the seesaws were trending on social media on Tuesday, with many praising the idea that comes as US President Donald Trump's administration pushes ahead with tightened immigration policies.

The three pink seesaws were unveiled on Monday.
The three pink seesaws were unveiled on Monday. Source: AP


"Beautiful reminder that we are connected: what happens on one side impacts the other," tweeted Mexican actor Mauricio Martinez.

"The symbolism of the seesaw is just magical," said Claudia Tristan, director of Latinx messaging for El Paso, Texas-born presidential contender Beto O'Rourke.

"#Border fence will not keep us from our neighbours."


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AFP, SBS


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world