EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Familias Unidas del Chamizal held a protest on Friday to oppose efforts that could jeopardize the removal of commercial trucks from the Bridge of the Americas (BOTA).
The group argues that the presence of these trucks endangers the health of children and vulnerable community members, stating that BOTA is located in a neighborhood near schools and public housing, where they say has contributed to pollution and health issues.
The protest began at Bowie High School as supporters are expected to march towards BOTA early this evening.
WATCH:
Protest held at Bridge of the Americas against commercial trucks (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
According to Familias Unidas del Chamizal, the community has faced environmental hazards and a public health crisis for decades, which advocates say have been largely ignored.
Despite a decision to remove the trucks, the maquiladora industry is attempting to reverse the plans.
Hilda Villegas of Familias Unidas del Chamizal said in a statement, “We know the maquiladora industries’ position, their whole agenda is based on profit from exploitation of land and people’s labor. The removal of commercial trucks from the center of the city will benefit the whole community, but despite the benefits to both the environment and the economy, the maquiladora industry and the politicians backing them up are willing to sacrifice us.”
According to Familias Unidas del Chamizal, while the El Paso community has shown support for removing the trucks, local politicians are reportedly opposing the decision.
In 2024, the El Paso City Council unanimously approved the adoption of a letter in support of the U.S. General Service Administration’s preferred proposal to modernize the Bridge of the Americas.
Known as Alternative 4, the GSA’s plan calls for eliminating commercial cargo traffic through the port of entry, while creating a multilevel structure to facilitate pedestrian and commuter traffic.
The agenda item that went before City Council on Oct. 8, 2024 was drafted by Representative Josh Acevedo and reads, “After multiple public comment periods, residents in the surrounding neighborhood of the Bridge of the Americas have cited health and safety concerns caused by commercial cargo traffic,” adding, “After numerous public meetings, the GSA is in agreement that this is a public health issue.”
“This has been a long time coming, this has been decades of organizing around getting these trucks out [and] fighting for cleaner air in this area,” Acevedo said. “My constituents, the Chamizal constituents, have also been fighting this and I think that’s what we really need to highlight; The people that we see here with Familias Unidas del Chamizal, their parents were working on this, their grandparents were working on it.”
RECOMMENDED: El Paso border crossings face long delays as Mexican protests cause truck backlog
Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.