Texas Parks and Wildlife commissioners inundated with border wall concerns during annual meeting

This unusual public hearing began with a festive tailgate party outside the agencys offices. People from across the state gathered, cooking out and sharing drinks, all focused on the potential for border wall construction through state park property in far West Texas. Cardboard cut-outs of desert animals bearing slogans like Dont fence us in and No wall, no wire, no way lined the pathway, echoing chants from the crowd.

These Texans hope the agency overseeing state parks will finally address months of public outcry. The possibility of large-scale federal border wall construction on public land and videos of bulldozers tearing into the landscape fueled their concerns.

This situation directly impacts all Texans who value state parks, including those of us here in Lubbock. The public outcry and the presence of hundreds of people at the meeting show how much these shared lands matter to residents.

The lively scene outside, from the tailgate party to the direct chants, underscored the statewide desire to protect public park property from federal border barriers.