There is a historical crisis happening in Texas right now, but the vast majority of Texans don’t know anything about it. Greed and a politically correct undercurrent amongst a powerful few are working to minimize the battle for Texas independence at the Alamo and whitewash our precious Texas history. It is an attempt to take away the heart and soul of this state, and the Texans that know about it are not standing for it.
This “re-imagination” of the Alamo has been in the works for the last few years. The repair and refurbishing of the Alamo is most welcome. However, the true purpose of their plan—by General Land Office Commissioner George P. Bush, the City of San Antonio, and wealthy investors—is not what it first seems.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the purpose of this project has always been to honor “both” sides. It doesn’t matter to them that Santa Anna would be considered a war criminal today. They are developing a type of “movie set” to entertain tourists. They have already put up some historical monuments to Defenders. The purpose is to have an educational/entertainment experience. However, they are whitewashing the history.
George P. had a complete meltdown Wednesday night. He said that he was not behind putting Santa Anna up, and the people accusing him of it were “racists.” It was a social media showdown, as Texans were outraged at the very thought of honoring Santa Anna.
Texas taxpayers will be footing a bill of $200 million. The overall price tag for this project is $450 million, but investors will supposedly make up the difference after our initial $200 million.
Can you remember anyone asking you if that is OK?
Gov. Greg Abbott has refused to speak up against it, and every bill last session to protect the Alamo was killed.
Already, George P. Bush and the GLO has convinced the legislature to pony up $75 million out of the Rainy Day fund purportedly for repairs to the Alamo. However, no one knows exactly where the money is being spent, even after several unsuccessful open records requests to Attorney General Ken Paxton.
A bill was even written to force them to report expenditures. Killed, of course, in committee by State Rep. John Cyrier (R–Lockhart), who is chairman of the Culture, Recreation, and Tourism Committee that heard the bill.Bush admitted they had several “good” people at the Capitol working to keep those bills from being passed. One of them, Democrat Senator Jose Menendez of San Antonio, stated he doesn’t like our “disgusting racist history.”
The few patriotic citizens that knew about all this have been protesting the last couple of years and trying to get the word out to absolutely no avail. Abbott refuses to do anything or even voice an opinion, and every bill written to protect the Alamo and the Cenotaph was killed last session. Speaker Dennis Bonnen and State Rep. Four Price (R–Amarillo), chairman of the House Calendars Committee, killed the monument protection bill just two days before the end of the session. Bush’s people were fighting that one, too, because it would have protected the Cenotaph.
At this point, the only hope left is the lawsuit filed by a few Alamo Defenders’ Descendants. The Cenotaph, or what is also called the Empty Tomb and Spirit of Sacrifice, is very personal to the Descendants. They want it to stay on the blood soaked ground where the renowned Italian sculptor Pompeo Coppini intended it to stay.
Not many know that about 1,300 people are buried around the Alamo. The burial book of the Mission San Antonio de Valero Church records shows this going back about 300 years.
This is truly a historical cemetery. The Cenotaph is literally standing in the middle of a cemetery. And just a few months ago, excavators unearthed bone fragments in Alamo Plaza. The Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation Indians have also filed a lawsuit to stop the desecration of graves and preserving the area as a cemetery. The GLO is aggressively fighting them back, too.
Outraged people from all over Texas have been raising money to pay for this lawsuit by the Defenders’ descendants. Pretty amazing. 13,000 signatures from all over Texas have also been taken to stop this atrocity. This is in addition to all the people who traveled to Austin last session to testify for the protection of the Alamo, the rallies held at the Alamo to save the Cenotaph, and all those who attended the City of San Antonio’s city council meetings on the Alamo plan.
A small win was achieved Dec. 4 when the City of San Antonio Historic and Design Review Commission decided to hold off briefly until they learned more about the two lawsuits. About 30 people testified against moving the Cenotaph. The three for the removal were paid employees of the GLO.
Another hearing by the Historic Design and Review Commission is scheduled on the 18th. They are required to give 48 hours notice for the time and place. Concerned citizens from all over Texas may come to testify against it, and they are highly encouraged to do so.
Abbott could settle this problem right now by holding a special session in January to at least allow the monument protection bill to get that vote in the House, but every indication has been that he is flatly refusing.
On December 14, this Saturday, there will be a 10-block march to protect Texas history starting at the Main Plaza in San Antonio and ending at Travis Park. There will be many groups there including the Indians who want to protect the cemetery, the Alamo Defenders’ Descendants who also want to protect the cemetery and the Cenotaph, and other patriotic Texans who just want to save our Texas history. People should arrive by 1:00 p.m., and start walking about 2:00 p.m.
History gives us meaning as to whom and what we are. We should guard it, cherish it, and learn from it for the betterment of all.
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