Hello from the Big Bend!

Thank you so much for signing up and raising your hand to be part of this effort. Truly, it matters. Every person who steps forward strengthens this movement and reminds us that we are not alone in protecting the Big Bend of Far West Texas.

About Us:

No Big Bend Wall is a rapidly forming community coalition run by volunteers in Terlingua, Presidio, Marfa, Alpine, Marathon and beyond. A few weeks ago, The Big Bend Sentinel broke the news about the Big Bend border wall and we decided to get together and start doing what we could to try and stop it. After just three weeks, we have received over 400 volunteer sign ups and 16K followers on social media. We are fielding national media, organizing community forums across the region, defining a local and national strategy and so much more. 

We’ve also begun to assemble bilingual resources for land owners living along the proposed wall route who may be receiving letters from the federal government regarding their land. 

If you are a stakeholder — someone whose work is directly connected to and impacted by this place (business owners, scientists, researchers, etc.) — please fill out this contact form, and we will be in touch in the coming days with some more action items.

It’s been a busy three weeks and we have a lot more work to do. As we build momentum, here are a few simple ways to stay involved right now:

1. Share the petition

A Change.org petition launched by local Terlingua artist and grassroots organizer has received over 70,000 signatures in just 15 days. Since then, 46 Texas legislators have joined together in a bi-partisan statement against the border wall. Locals in Terlingua also gathered in peaceful protest over the weekend. 

We’re seeing strong and steady growth in signatures, and every share expands our collective voice. If you haven’t already, please sign and send it to your friends, family, and networks. 

2. Keep calling your reps

It’s working! You can use 5 Calls to make it easy and/or find phone numbers and a call script on our site. 

3. Access the Resource Folder

We have a new free resource folder where you can find 

• Printable posters and postcards

• Quick facts about what’s going on

• Resources for landowners in English & Spanish

• Letter writing templates

• Contact info and call scripts for representatives

If you only have a few minutes, start with the quick fact sheet — it’s a helpful overview of what’s happening and why it matters.

Anna Claire Beasley in Terlingua has also created a folder with free printable posters and social media templates. Thank you, Anna Claire!

4. Help us build local momentum
We’re especially looking for people willing to help organize locally and in major Texas cities — Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and beyond.

Would you be interested in helping start or join a small event committee in your city? This could include:

• Serving a point person for your town

• Hosting a community info and letter writing night 

• Coordinating a flyer drop

• Organizing a gathering or film screening

• Connecting us with aligned organizations

• Showing up for public comments with decision makers

Please sign up here if you are interested in organizing in your community. 

5. Attend Film Screening + Discussion of The River and the Wall 

Our first free film screening and community forum will kick off in Marfa this weekend, followed by additional screenings throughout the state. Each film will conclude with a community discussion about the impacts of the wall and our efforts to prevent it.

• Marfa: Friday, March 6: 7pm at Crowley Theater 98 S Austin St, Marfa, TX 79843

• Marathon: Sunday, March 8: Ritchey Bros. SW 1st St, Marathon, TX 79842

• Alpine: Saturday, March 14: Granada Theater 207 E Holland Ave, Alpine, TX 79830

• Sanderson: Saturday, March 21: Desert Air Motel 806 W Oak St, Sanderson, TX 79848

• Presidio: TBD

• Austin: Wednesday, April 1: 7:30p at AFS Cinema 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752

Originally released in 2019, The River and the Wall follows five friends on an immersive 1,200-mile journey from El Paso to the Gulf of Mexico, traveling by horseback, mountain bike, and canoe to document the Texas borderlands. The documentary explores the potential ecological and human impacts of a proposed border wall, highlighting the rugged beauty of the wilderness while engaging with the complex realities of the immigration debate.

6. Stay Engaged

We are a group of volunteers working around the clock to build more resources and develop strategic and targeted calls to action. We will need you in the coming days and weeks! Our strength and success in these actions will come from your responsiveness and consistent engagement. Sustained pressure is essential. 

If you feel even a small nudge to step into something bigger, reply to this email and let us know what city you’re in. Grassroots efforts are how real change begins.

More updates coming soon. 

With gratitude,

No Big Bend Wall Coalition