FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2025

Contact: [email protected]
Frontera Federation, [email protected], (830) 294-8380
Nancy Treviño, [email protected], (786) 201-8958

Texas Withdraws National Guard from Gates of Shelby Park, Millions in Damage Remain

Eagle Pass, TX — Yesterday, the State of Texas withdrew its National Guard forces from the gates of Shelby Park, retreating to a fenced-in enclave between the parking lot and International Bridge I. Their abandonment of the gates of their controversial January 2024 militarization campaign leaves behind a scarred landscape of destruction. While their retreat from the gates is a welcome move, the state continues to recklessly occupy public land, and Eagle Pass residents are left grappling with a ravaged park, severed access to the Rio Grande, and a costly path to restoration.

A Legacy of Destruction

What was once a vibrant community hub for ball games, family fishing trips, and riverside gatherings now lies in ruins. Millions of dollars in damage—including destroyed irrigation systems, littered military debris, and fields torn apart by heavy machinery—render the park unusable. Miles of rusting concertina wire and shipping containers, still guarded by armed soldiers, block access to the riverfront, robbing residents of their right to enjoy public spaces.

Operation Lone Star’s Failed Experiment

The withdrawal from the gates follows months of protests and legal battles over Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, which transformed Shelby Park into a militarized staging ground. The park’s boat ramp, critical for local recreation and emergency services, remains barricaded. Grassroots advocates argue the operation achieved nothing beyond alienating border communities and wasting taxpayer dollars.

“The state turned our park into a war zone, then retreated into their air conditioned tents on the flood plain and pretended everything was normal,” said Amerika Garcia Grewal, Co-Director of the Frontera Federation. “Our children’s fields are now hard as rock. Families can’t fish or picnic. This is not ‘security’—it’s an assault on our way of life.”

“Texas partially removing the state’s National Guard personnel from Shelby Park comes as no surprise. After wasting taxpayer dollars for nearly two years, Governor Abbott’s political performance not only adhered to a dangerous conservative playbook, but also endangered residents, migrants, and Eagle Pass’ biodiversity,” said Nancy Treviño of Presente.org. “We fully support the demands of Eagle Pass residents for accountability and reparations, and urge communities across the country to continue organizing against bullies like Governor Abbott and in defense of human rights and dignity for all,” Treviño concluded.

Demanding Accountability and Reinvestment

Local leaders and advocacy groups are demanding immediate action:

• Full Restoration Funding: Texas must allocate millions to repair Shelby Park’s infrastructure and remove militarized barriers.
• Riverfront Access: Reopen the boat ramp and dismantle concertina wire blocking the Rio Grande.
• Community Reparations: Compensate Eagle Pass for lost tourism revenue and loss of community resources.

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Anchored at the US-Mexico border, Frontera Federation empowers communities for justice and health equity through organizing, advocacy, and community-driven support, addressing migration and policing at the US-Mexico border and beyond.

Presente.org is the nation’s largest online Latinx organizing group — and the nation’s premier Latinx digital organizing hub — advancing social justice with technology, media, and culture. Presente.org’s mission is to advance Latinx power and create winning campaigns that amplify Latinx voices; expand the political imagination and traditional boundaries; and foster inspiration for freedom, equity, and justice.