El Pasoans come together for border wall speak-out

Dozens of El Pasoans turned out to San Jacinto Plaza Saturday for a Border Wall Speakout. City Representative Peter Svarzbein said he organized the event as a space not against the border wall, but for people to share what they liked about El Paso.

“The reality is that we have a fence, and we’re one of the safest and more secure cities in the country, and this is a conversation we need to have. We need to talk about what it means to be from El Paso and what are those things that define us,” Svarzbein said.

Most speakers touched on the recurring theme that those in Washington can’t understand the daily border life of those who live on it.

“They have no idea what it is to live here, to live on both sides of the border, to have family and friends on both sides,” said Clara Castellon, a listener at the speakout.

Some people understood not every policy maker can know the region as well as its residents.

“Representatives have a hard job where they have to represent the whole country and they have to take views from everyone. I think any solution here would not be a simple one,” said Vladimir Guirand, who has lived in EL Paso for a month.

Suggestions for politicians to understand the border were plenty from those listening.

“If they’re really willing to listen, like I feel like if they really want to listen they should come down and speak to the community, speak to the people who are here with economic issues, speak about safety, that we’re safe here,” said Simon Jemente Jr who was also at the speakout.

Svarzbein said they invited members of the republican party to the speak out, but we’re told they did not reach back.