A federal judge in San Antonio granted a temporary restraining order Friday against the Department of Homeland Security, pausing construction of the White House’s controversial border barriers in Big Bend National Park.
U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia called for a pause on construction of any kind in the prized national park until Sept. 15 and possibly longer, depending on what the federal government plans for future construction in the area.
As the hearing got underway Friday morning, approximately 200 activists gathered outside of the U.S. Federal Courthouse on West Nueva Street downtown.
The protest kicked off with a ceremonial dance and drum circle by Indigenous performers and activists, followed by a series of speeches on the importance of the West Texas national park, where contractors bulldozed vegetation and a significant landmark earlier this month as part of the Trump administration’s border construction project.
The request for the temporary restraining order was filed on top of a pause announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott after his first visit to the region. The CBP commissioner’s trip followed the bulldozing of riparian vegetation for a vehicle road in Santa Elena Canyon and additional damage to Mariscal Mountain.
Contractors received $1.7 billion for the construction project within Big Bend National Park. The project, which has morphed numerous times over the past six months, initially included plans for 20-foot steel bollard walls. Then CBP officials assured locals that no wall was planned.
Now, the latest plans include vehicle barrier fences, surveillance towers and the construction of roads in previously unfettered wilderness. According to State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, the confusion continues.
“I think the people of this region deserve to have transparency and clarity from their government,” Gutierrez told reporters following the afternoon decision.
Dozens of environmental laws were waived in order to begin the unprecedented construction project within the national park, including the Endangered Species Act.
A number of local business owners and environmental activists filed for the temporary restraining order heard Friday inside the courthouse. They were represented by attorneys including Gutierrez. The plaintiffs included Jessica and Billy Bartko, the owners of Far Flung Outdoor Center, an adventure retreat company that relies on access to the Rio Grande. Other plaintiffs included members of the Lipan Apache tribe.
Congressional candidates from both sides of the aisle who are running to represent the Big Bend region were also in attendance at the Friday morning rally. Republican U.S. House candidate Brandon “AK Guy” Herrera, who recently referred to children as “cum trophies,” attempted to grab the mic to deliver a speech. However, organizer Peter Bella with 50501 declined, telling Herrera that it was best to keep the gathering non-partisan.
Herrera’s Democratic opponent, Katy Padilla Stout, also was in attendance but didn’t attempt to speak to the crowd. Instead, she silently held a sign made by her daughter, who had asked her to promise to protect Big Bend should she take office.
When the Current asked about Herrera’s presence and his attempt to speak at the event, Stout didn’t mince words.
“Look at that wolf in sheep’s clothing,” Stout said. “Here you are, you’re trying to act as if you care about these issues, you care about people, when all you’ve done in your career is spread hate.”
Herrera and Stout’s sprawling 23rd Congressional District also includes parts of west San Antonio.
“He said on the record that he wants some sort of electrical wall or fence … so he’s not saying get out of Big Bend and don’t come back,” Stout said of Herrera. “He’s saying ‘well let’s do something that’s a little bit more aesthetically pleasing.’ You’re still going to need eminent domain to take people’s land. You’re still going to need bulldozers to go in and damage our sacred parks.”
