Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Mission, TX-- Today, 12 U.S. Military veterans from the Sierra Club Military Outdoors team and two activists from the Tohono O’odham Nation will begin peacefully camping in at the National Butterfly Center in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, protesting in solidarity with communities along the borderlands and those opposing the border wall. The veterans will highlight the devastating effects of the border wall by meeting with residents and visiting sites in the area in solidarity with borderlands communities and lands.
The Sierra Club Military Outdoors team arrived in Texas throughout the weekend, committed to bear witness to the injustices being inflicted on the border communities and amplify the perspectives of Rio Grande Valley residents. The veterans on the team include those who served in Iraq,Afghanistan, and Vietnam. The team convened at the National Butterfly Center from everywhere from New York City to Arizona to Washington, D.C.
They intend on staying at the Butterfly Center for one week, visiting at the invitation of the National Butterfly Center. The Butterfly Center would be torn apart by Trump’s proposed border wall, and has been a focal point of protests along the borderlands. While in the area, the team of veterans plan to visit communities and special places across the region, including La Lomita Chapel, Sabal Palm Sanctuary, South Padre Island Nature Center, the Yturria National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Tract, La Puerta NWR, Roma Bluffs, and Sal del Rey-- many of which are threatened by border walls.
The group also plans to meet with the local Carrizo/ Comecrudo Tribe of Texas who have been actively resisting the border wall through protests in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The wall would cut through the Tribe’s sacred land-- including their ancestors’ burial sites and religious chapels.
Reporters are encouraged to join for any and all events. For interviews, pictures, video, and quotes, contact courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org.
In anticipation, Rob Vessels, Senior Campaign Representative for Sierra Club Military Outdoors released the following statement:
“The border wall and militarization of border towns are a direct affront to the democratic principles, values, and protection of human rights that the US military is entrusted to uphold. As veterans, we continue to side with the people, public lands and values we committed to serve.
"Our team of military veterans is eager to experience the rich culture and beautiful natural places the Rio Grande Valley offers-- and provide another voice of support for these communities working to reject the hate being brought by the Trump administration.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.