NO BORDER WALL RALLY

December 5, 2007

Hidalgo Communities and Businesses link arms in Fight against Border Wall

McALLEN, TX—
The Chambers of Commerce of Hidalgo County are joining forces in a fight against the proposed Border Wall. A No Border Wall Rally is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11th from 5:30pm to 6:15pm at the new McAllen Convention Center.

The No Border Wall Rally is an effort by the Chambers, environmental groups, community activists, faith based groups, land owners and ranchers to enlighten the government on the issues that gravely effect on the economy and the environment.

“After seeing the proposed wall and its locations, I am more convinced than ever this is a total waste of taxpayers’ money and will not secure our country,” said Steve Ahlenius, President and CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. “We are for secure borders, but there are better ways,” he said.

Here are some of the main points for the rally:

· We oppose the wall because it divides our communities, provides a false sense of security, betrays our region’s history, usurps private property rights and gives away part of Texas to Mexico.

· We support the use of natural barriers and the clearing of Carrizo Cane at the Brownsville Weir and reservoir projects and other sites along the Rio Grade River.

· We oppose the Draft Environmental Impact Statement’s arbitrary dismissal of alternatives to the Border Wall suggested by border communities.

· We support development and use of technology such as radar, ground sensor, unmanned aerial drones, intelligence networks to stem smugglers’ networks, more Border Patrol agents and increased funding and staffing at the ports-of-entry.

· Enforcement of existing immigration laws.

· The proposed wall will in the long-term reduce the natural habitats found in the region. Currently, the region has over 500 recorded species of birds, 39 which are seen no where else in the United States. This region is the funnel for the major migratory flyway in the Western Hemisphere and is home to 340 endemic species.

· Nature tourism in Valley has an economic impact of $125 million dollars and produces 2,500 jobs.

· Mexico has recently requested the United States to pursue other alternatives to building the Wall.

· Currently over $3 billion in retail trade occurs between Northern Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley. The wall sends the wrong message to tourists and legal visitors from Mexico.

The No Border Wall Rally serves to coordinate and to encourage every citizen to testify against the current proposal. “This may be our last opportunity to get the attention of the Department of Homeland Security and Border Patrol about the wall,” said Ahlenius. “It is time for the all citizen to speak-up.”

For more information pertaining to the rally or environmental concerns due to the Border Wall, contact the McAllen Chamber of Commerce at 956-682-2871.

PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ATTEND. WE WANT AT LEAST 3,000 PEOPLE. RALLY SIGNS WILL BE PROVIDED, BUT YOU CAN MAKE AND BRING YOUR OWN, IF YOU PREFER.