Nathaniel Puente 
Alamo- For almost a month, the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas has staged a protest outside the Eli Jackson Cemetery in Hidalgo County. The area is set to be destroyed by the border wall.
“It’s a sacred site. It shouldn’t be disturbed. It shouldn’t be destroyed,” said Dr. Christopher Basaldu, a member of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe. Basaldu asserts that the tribe holds inherent rights to protect this land as the original people of the area.
The Eli Jackson Cemetery has existed since 1865 and on an unmarked grave lies Nathaniel Jackson, who helped emancipate slaves in the 1800s with the underground railroad’s route to Mexico. Nearby the cemetery is the Jackson Chapel, the first Spanish-speaking Protestant Church in the Valley.
Although construction on the border wall has begun, the tribe said the government has been unclear on what exactly will happen with the land.
“The Ramirez family that has been in contact with the federal government has been told there will be no construction at this section in February. When the family asked them what happens March 1st, they didn’t get a clear response. So we don’t know,” mentioned Basaldu.
The plan for the border wall is still a bit unclear, but the tribe looks to stay put as long as they can.
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