Environmental Justice March against Dos Republicas Coal Mine at U.S.-Mexico Border set for Saturday, April 16th, by Native Americans United

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016

The controversial Eagle Pass Coal Mine permitted by the Railroad Commission of Texas to Dos Republicas Coal Partnership not only affects the health and safety of Maverick Countians, but also affects and destroys the sacred and religious archaelogical sites and burial grounds of many Native American Tribes which once lived on or along the Elm Creek and Rio Grande River in Maverick County, Texas.

Native Americans United, a Coaliton of Native American Tribes and supporters, are hosting a March against the Dos Republicas Coal Mine on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at 10:30 A.M. at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas to protest the destruction of historical and sacred Native American archaelogical sites and burial grounds on the land permitted as the “Eagle Pass Mine” within Maverick County, Texas by the Railroad Commission of Texas, as well as protest the environmental pollution and contamination of the air and water of over 250,000 Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico residents who rely on the Rio Grande River as their sole source of potable water and breathe the polluted air caused by the coal mine.

All public officials and residents from Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila and surrounding area are invited to participate  and join in solidarity with Native American Tribal members in marching against the controversial Dos Republicas Coal Mine on Saturday, April 16th.

Participants will meet at the City of Eagle Pass Shelby Park at 10:30 A.M. on the banks of the Rio Grande River along the United States-Mexico border and March nine miles through the streets of Eagle Pass, Seco Mines, Siesta Acres, and Thompson Road to the site of the controversial Dos Republicas Coal Mine.  Participants will receive water and food throughout the March to nourish them while marching to the open surface coal mine.   Participants may also join the march anywhere along the route on Main Street, Ceylon Street, Del Rio Boulevard, and Thompson Road.

Local Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, Coahuila residents and organizations are joining Native American United to protest against the controversial Dos Republicas Coal Mine.  Everyone is welcome to participate. If you are unable to walk, you can also participate by bicycle or automobile.

Native Americans United includes tribal members of Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas, the Paquache Band of the Coahiltecan Tribe of Texas, the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma, the Carrizo-Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, the American Indian Movement of Central Texas, TEJAS (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services), Equilibrio ATX EJ, the Southwest Workers Union, Coalition for a Clean Maverick County,  and many others.

Noticeably absent are the Kickapoo Traditional Trible of Texas who once vehemently opposed the Dos Republicas Coal Mine but their former Tribal Council under the leadership of former Chairman Juan Garza surreptitiously withdrew their opposition after secretly meeting with coal mine representatives while their tribal attorneys were fighting the permit in Austin, Texas, stunning its attorneys and community.  It is unknown what type of agreement, if any, did the Kickapoo Traditional Trible of Texas reached with Dos Republicas Coal Partnership or other coal mine representatives in exchange for withdrawing their opposition.

Guest speakers, music and singers will speak or perform at the March against the Dos Repbulicas Coal Mine.  Local children, adults, students, organizations, groups, clubs, and concerned residents are welcome to attend the March.

Currently, the City of Eagle Pass, County of Maverick, Maverick County Hospital District, Maverick County Environmental and Public Health Association, George Baxter, and local farmers and ranchers are appealing the Railroad Commission of Texas’ grant of the coal mine permit to Dos Republicas Coal Partnership before the Texas Supreme Court in Austin, Texas.

For more information, please contact Dr. Jonathan Hook at (830) 773-6480 or by email at jhookcomm@gmail.com.