AUSTIN, Texas — More than 2,000 people gathered Saturday at the Texas Capitol in Austin to protest proposed construction of a 30-foot border wall in the Big Bend region, citing environmental concerns and uncertainty over federal plans.
Protesters said the proposed wall would cut through protected areas, including Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and Seminole Canyon State Park, potentially disrupting ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
Participants raised concerns that construction would damage terrain that serves as a natural barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. Some attendees said they opposed both physical barriers and surveillance infrastructure, which they believe could affect the region’s environment and dark sky conditions.
Federal plans for the area have changed in recent months. In February, the administration waived multiple environmental laws to accelerate construction of more than 150 miles of border wall, including sections in state and national parks. As of Saturday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website indicated the Big Bend region would rely on detection technology instead of a physical wall. Donald Trump has not publicly addressed the update.
Some protesters expressed skepticism about the revised plan and said they would continue to oppose any form of border infrastructure in the المنطقة until formal confirmation is issued.
Environmental advocates said the region supports migratory species and endangered wildlife, including the Mexican long-nosed bat and the Big Bend Gambusia fish, which are sensitive to habitat disruption.
More than 40 Texas lawmakers from both major parties signed a letter urging Greg Abbott to halt border wall construction in the area.
Speakers at the rally included former Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who both opposed the project and called for preservation of the region.
Organizers said they collected signatures on a petition calling for the project to be stopped.
