STOP BORDER WALL PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION UNTIL CORONAVIRUS IS DEFEATED

While Laredoans struggle to remain healthy and alive during this coronavirus crisis, not to mention make ends meet and survive this shocking moment in history, the City of Laredo (“City”) decided that Monday, April 6, 2020, at 3 pm was the appropriate time and place to vote on a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) regarding the construction of the bulkhead downtown.

Taking up this issue at this moment of crisis, when over 100 Laredoans have tested positive for the virus and 6 people have died from the disease, is irresponsible and unforgivable. By bringing this item to vote now, CBP and the City are deliberately excluding critical stakeholders such as landowners, homeowners, businesses, and groups who work and operate along the path of the proposed bulkhead from commenting and understanding the MOU.

The City is excluding everyday Laredoans from speaking directly to City Council or the CBP agents to understand the contours and implications of the MOU and/or the bulkhead’s impact on the environment, the City’s drinking water and the process for selecting the size and dimensions of the bulkhead.

More important, the MOU requires the City to sign a limited right of entry letter that allows CPB to conduct intrusive studies without clearly defined protections of the riverfront and essentially surrender the border wall fight.

The Laredo City Council has already voted unanimously – in 2017 and 2019 – to oppose any and all Wall efforts. The bulkhead is the Wall by another name. We urge them to honor these votes and hold the line against any Wall planning or construction until this community has healed from this devastating moment.

Join us and demand that the City table this item and any other items relating to the border wall or bulkhead until the Covid-19 crises is over. Demand transparency from our City leaders.