Rio Grande Valley Community React Ahead of SpaceX Rocket Launch Blast on the South Texas Coastline
SpaceX routine operations and testing are already destroying wildlife refuges and sacred lands of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas and are threatening Rio Grande Valley communities with explosion risks. In addition to these accumulating impacts, the launch of the new massive Starship Super Heavy itself will increase the size and scale of SpaceX’s already damaging impacts on nearby communities, wildlife, and the environment.
Activists Resist Elon Musk’s SpaceX “Colonization” of South Texas, Citing Environmental Harm and Gentrification
RGV Groups seek information on possible collusion between SpaceX and local officials, targeting of environmental activists, and federal licensing process.
MURAL MADNESS REDUX
Half a year since the City of Brownsville announced the SpaceX funded mural program a local Rio Grande Valley artist has yet to be named. It begs the question, “How long does it take to find a “worthy” artist in the RGV to paint the last mural funded by Elon Musk?”
COMMENTARY: ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS
Juan Trey Mendez III is setting precedence. The Brownsville mayor currently faces criticism from the community for his recent distorted bully pulpit methods against local activist Rebekah (Bekah) Hinojosa, but the question remains, was this personal?
SPACE EXED, A FORCED REBRANDING
The Rio Grande region experienced a forced rebranding through the myth of the Magic Valley. Despite demographic and political changes, market forces like SpaceX continue to dictate the regional identity through arts and culture.
What journalists should know before reporting on the SpaceX at Boca Chica Beach
Read life-long resident of Brownsville and member of the South Texas Environmental Justice Network, Emma Guevara’s commentary on how the majority of journalists paint an unrealistic and unfamiliar picture of our home when covering SpaceX Boca Chica. Learn more about her thoughts on how journalists can stop being so problematic when discussing our home.
EXIGE A LA FAA QUE FACILITE EL ACCESO A LAS AUDIENCIAS DE SPACEX EN ESPAÑOL
En enero, se presentaron más de 65 comentarios públicos a la Administración Federal de Aviación (FAA, por sus siglas en inglés) exigiendo el acceso al idioma en las audiencias públicas y las evaluaciones de la expansión del proyecto SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy en la playa de Boca Chica. La FAA está ignorando descaradamente la petición de los residentes afectados del Valle del Río Grande de contar con interpretación en español y subtítulos para las audiencias públicas en línea del 18 y 20 de octubre.
DEMAND THE FAA PROVIDE ACCESS TO SPACEX HEARINGS IN SPANISH
In January, more than 65 public comments were submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) demanding language access to public hearings and assessments of the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy project expansion on Boca Chica Beach. The FAA is blatantly ignoring the request by affected Rio Grande Valley residents for Spanish interpretation and closed captioning for the October 18 and 20 online public hearings.
Rio Grande Valley Against SpaceX
Criticisms against SpaceX have increased online as residents of Boca Chica and the surrounding area are raising concerns about the environmental impact and political issues such as economic inequity and gentrification.