Border Ambassadors Sponsors March from Fort Hancock to El Paso August 27 - 31

Join the border people’s march to stop the building of the wall, August 27-31, 2008. Wednesday 27: Cultural event to start the march at 6 p.m., Fort Hancock.

Thursday 28: March to Alamo Alto.

Friday 29: March to Fabens with a community event in Tornillo.

Saturday 30: March to Socorro with a community event in San Elizario.

Sunday 31: March from Ysleta del Sur to El Paso.

A major disaster for wildlife and parks along the U.S.--Mexico border may soon become reality if concerned citizens can not rally enough support to stop the construction of 700 mile fence. On April 1, for the fourth time in the past 2 years, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff used his authority to waive more than 30 environmental laws to expedite building 370 miles worth of new fencing along the U.S. Mexico border, including 57 miles of continuous wire mesh fencing and 21 miles of high-powered lighting from El Paso downstream along the Rio Grande. Being faced with growing and unexpectedly fierce opposition, DHS is cutting every corner in an attempt to complete 700 miles worth of fencing before the Bush Administration is out of office.


If DHS moves forward with fence construction before proper environmental analysis is completed, there will be serious impacts to wildlife and their habitats in the borderland region, including areas such as the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, Big Bend National Park, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Wildlife Refuge, and the Rio Grande near El Paso. Within these areas live a number of endangered and threatened species, including jaguar, Mexican black bear, ocelot, Gila monster, and Sonoran pronghorn. The Rio Grande is an extraordinarily important area for wildlife in the Chihuahuan Desert, and an important migratory flyway for birds. The proposed fence will block wildlife access and passage, and the proposed lights could adversely affect migratory birds.

We can't allow the DHS to continue down this path. We need a comprehensive approach to border security that addresses root causes, is effective, and does not cause harm to border wildlife and ecosystems.

Unfortunately, Congress is not likely to act in this election year without significant outside pressure. This is a states' rights issue as much as an environmental one. That's why we are calling on our members who live in border states to contact their governors.

Communion served through the border fence Sundays at Friendship Park

Ever since I became a fan of Friendship Park, I’d heard stories about its official dedication as a California State Park in August, 1971, at which then-First Lady Pat Nixon presided. Some stories had her asking that the fence be cut so she could greet the Mexican children on the other side; others had her speaking openly about her wishes that someday there would be no fence at all.

I’ve refrained from spreading this story too widely, because I didn’t have good corroboration of it … until now. Visit the link below to read the remarkable story and SEE PHOTOS OF PATRICIA NIXON REACHING THROUGH WHAT WAS THEN A SIMPLE, BARBED-WIRE FENCE.

I never thought I’d say it, but I find myself following in Pat Nixon’s footsteps. I’m not planning on cutting the fence, mind you, but at 3 p.m. this Sunday – and at 3 p.m. on every Sunday until further notice – I plan to serve communion through the fence to anyone who wants to receive it. You are always welcome to join me. Just remember to bring $5 for vehicle admission to the park and papers documenting your citizenship or residency.

Here’s the link to the Pat Nixon story: http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=555f6a6f5b0c8684b9e0451c9d85f5b1.

DirectionsFrom I-5 Exit West on Dairy Mart Road /Dairy Mart Road turns into Monument Road /
Follow Monument Road to Park Entrance /
Follow road inside park to Friendship Plaza, overlooking the beach
IMPORTANTAdmission to park is $5 per vehicle.Valid U.S. identification may be required.Expired car registration may be subject to fine.

John Fanestil
Executive Director
Foundation for Change
www.foundation4change.org
(619) 692-0527

Encuentro Nical Tlaca in El Calaboz, Texas August 16

Encuentro Nical Tlaca in El Calaboz, Texas August 16

A Gathering among people of this Land.

Danza, Celebration, Refreshments,
Papel Picado Workshop, and the
breaking of our already famous wall piñata.

We claim our land, it was given to us by our ancestors, it is our land, no barriers between our people, we will fight the wall of shame until the end.

At Eloisa's Land, in el Calaboz, 23352 W Us Highway 281 (look for green balloons)
from 5pm till dusk.

For more info, please contact Ryan @ (956)203-6801 or Elizabeth @ (956)459-3205

Border Ambassadors March Opposing the Border Wall from Ft. Hancock to El Paso

Border Ambassadors is sponsoring a Peace and Unity March against the Border Wall in the Tigua region, from Fort Hancock to El Paso.

Here is a breakdown of the August 27-31protest march against the border wall.

August 27 (Wed). Kick off cultural event in Fort Hancock.August 28 (Thu). From Fort Hancock, walk to Alamo Alto. August 29 (Fri). From Alamo Alto, walk to Tornillo, hold community event. End in Fabens. August 30 (Sat).From Fabens, walk to San Elizario, hold community event. End in SanYsleta del Sur with the Tiguas community. August 31(Sun). Morning ceremony in San Ysleta del Sur .Then to El Paso. After arriving in El Paso, a bi-naional event will be held in Anapra, Chihuahua and Sundland Park, NM.

It was not many years ago that we called an "iron curtain" something immoral and inhumane, something that only cruel and hateful people would do to their fellow man, a product of a totalitarian enemy. So, from the Pacific Coast to the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, from both sides of the border we invite all citizens of good will, organizations, faiths and media to join us in this peaceful and united protest against the border wall.

We can show solidarity in many ways. Join the march, forward this information, donate to the event, post the event on blogs, and encourage the media to not allow such an historic event to be suppressed at the national level. So, please feel free to join us and liberally share this information with others. In solidarity against the border wall.

For more information contact
Jay J. Johnson-Castro, Sr.
(830)768-0768
(830)734-8636 (cell)
jay@villadelrio.com
http://www.borderambassadors.com/