FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 18, 2023
Contact: anothergulfispossible@gmail.com
Rio Grande Valley Organizations Condemn Latest SpaceX Rocket Explosion in the South Texas Region
BROWNSVILLE, TX. – This morning, SpaceX tested the controversial Starship/SuperHeavy, the largest rocket in human history, on Brownsville’s Boca Chica beach. Local residents witnessed, for the second time this year, the rocket launch shaking their homes and an explosion that caused debris to fall on the low-income community, the wildlife refuge, and on lands that are sacred to the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas.
For years, Rio Grande Valley residents have been outspoken about SpaceX’s routine operations cutting off access to Boca Chica beach from local families from fishing, preventing the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe from accessing sacred lands for ceremonies, destroying more than 60 acres of wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species and threatening public safety with rocket shrapnel blown into the community. Earlier this year, 27 Rio Grande Valley organizations signed a letter opposing SpaceX’s launching of the Starship/Superheavy rocket in their community.
In response, Christopher Basaldú, with South Texas Environmental Justice Network, issued the following statement:
“Musk and his pet vanity project continue to pollute and destroy our beautiful beach, coastline, and wildlife. SpaceX, an unnecessary, private money grab that only serves the wealthy, refuses to follow safety regulations, environmental regulations, and the wishes of local communities and the original people of the land. Musk acts like a colonizer and should leave our lands.”
In response, Michelle Serrano, with Voces Unidas RGV, issued the following statement:
“Voces Unidas is disappointed that regulatory agencies have rubber-stamped yet another launch from Brownsville’s Boca Chica Beach. There are legitimate concerns about the establishment of a rocket manufacturing facility testing and expanding its operations in our region while our communities simultaneously endure hyper-militarization of green spaces, face soaring housing prices and gentrification, and see increasing animosity for low-income and immigrant community concerns from elected officials.
Not only will any projected launch be a disaster for the Laguna Madre, one of 6 hypersaline lagoons in the world, it is also a threat to the biodiversity of the area. South Bay, in particular, where SpaceX is established, is one of the few bays the general public has free access to recreation, nourishment, education, and emotional healing. Rio Grande Valley communities have enjoyed this quality-of-life resource for generations and are being cut off from an element that has benefited countless families, generated economic wealth from wildlife naturalists from around the world, and is sacred to the lifeways of the Esto’k Gna people, who remain unconsulted about this operation.”
In response, Sydney Ribera, with the Interim Revolutionary Feminist Committee, issued the following statement:
“The Interim Revolutionary Feminist Committee stands firmly against the destructive project that is SpaceX and its harmful effects on the land, water, wildlife, and people of Somi Se’k (Rio Grande Valley). We recognize that colonialism manifests from capitalism in the exploitation of natural spaces and resources, and SpaceX demonstrates this in its blatant disregard for legal procedures, environmental integrity, and sovereignty of the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe.
Further, as an environmental scientist, I highly recommend that SpaceX update its 2014 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address concerns accurately. USFWS agreed that the SpaceX project would harm endangered species such as the ocelot, sea turtles, and other animals by disrupting their ways of life. Yet, it concluded that “no jeopardy to any species and no adverse modification to critical habitat” would occur. This is a disservice to the unique biodiversity of Somi Se’k, and a proper EIS would not permit SpaceX to operate here.”
In response, Divest/Invest RGV, issued the following statement:
“Divest/Invest RGV opposes not only these dangerous rocket experiments but also the entirety of SpaceX’s colonization, which has devoured the environment and resources of Somi Se’k, also known as the Rio Grande Valley. These private billionaire projects promise short-term economic stimulation, but they fail to reveal the long-term costs of pollution and displacement. Many residents were uprooted from their homes when the base was built, and others have experienced regular harassment, policing, and detainment from security on what should be publicly accessible land. Local and state governments are incentivizing billionaires to settle in our region in exchange for jobs that will be gone as soon as we are no longer profitable and exploitable. This is why we must divest from SpaceX and invest in our community’s infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other institutions where the benefits can be enjoyed for future generations.”
In response, Emma Guevara, with Sierra Club, issued the following statement:
“Today people across America are distracted by the allure of space travel while our community continues to suffer from SpaceX’s inadequate protections for our neighbors and natural places. It doesn’t have to be this way, but the wealthiest man on Earth, whose net worth is more than $243 billion, has refused to invest in doing right by the people of Brownsville and Boca Chica. It’s past time for Texas and the country to truly think about this harm and ask themselves why we – in 2023 – are collectively still encouraging colonization at the expense of the marginalized.”
In response, Gloria Thomas, with the Democratic Socialists of America – Rio Grande Valley, issued the following statement:
“SpaceX has brought nothing but gentrification and environmental destruction to the valley. The promises of ‘economic development’ and ‘technological innovation’ are false promises. The so-called economic development is only meant for elites and opportunists who take advantage of our community, land, and resources.
SpaceX continues to show incompetency from the previous launch failures and explosions. The lack of oversight from federal and state agencies and local government has allowed SpaceX to get away with launch failures that have caused explosions. It shows that these agencies are willing to compromise the public’s safety and the environment for a billionaire’s pet project.”
In response, C. Díaz, with ENTRE Film Center & Regional Archive, issued the following statement:
“As a film center and archive whose goal is to preserve the Rio Grande Valley’s cultural heritage, ENTRE opposes SpaceX and its blatant disregard for the land, people, sacred history and environment of Boca Chica Beach. Many facets of RGV history have been censored or erased from public view, and our region has been poorly documented by the people and institutions who are responsible for preserving our history. ENTRE is committed to shifting the narrative of our region, which has been largely crafted by media outlets controlled by those in power, such as Musk. We will continue to provide access to tools and resources that allow individuals from the region to create and exhibit media that reflects personal histories and amplifies marginalized voices so that the world can understand the full impact of entities like SpaceX.”
Background: Residents and organizations from the Rio Grande Valley of Texas have spoken up about the environmental harms of SpaceX operations in their community. SpaceX has routinely closed beach access for long-time fisherman families, scorched the wildlife refuge, and threatened the health and safety of the community with explosions.
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