Javier Sierra, (703) 927-4750, javier.sierra@sierraclub.org
Courtney Bourgoin, (202) 495-3022, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
SAN DIEGO, CA— The Sierra Club and Center for Biological Diversity will present arguments Friday in its lawsuit against the Trump administration’s border wall and prototype projects near San Diego. A rally against the wall will precede the hearing.
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel is presiding over the case, which has been consolidated with similar challenges from the state of California and other conservation groups. Curiel will hear arguments from both sides during the proceeding and could issue his ruling at any time following the hearing.
“The border wall is absolutely against the core Constitutional values of the United States," said Jill Holslin of the Sierra Club Borderlands Campaign. "Our country was built on immigration and our laws on protecting people, our environment, and safeguarding our freedoms.”
What: Federal court hearing challenging Trump’s border wall
Where: U.S. District Courthouse, 333 W. Broadway, San Diego, CA
When: Friday, Feb. 9; gathering in front of the courthouse starts at noon; hearing begins at 1:30 p.m.
Media Availability: Attorneys and organizers will be available for media interviews outside the courthouse, before and after the hearing.
Background
The Department of Homeland Security exempted itself from more than 30 laws to rush construction of border-wall replacement projects and prototypes south of San Diego. But the waiver authority, granted by Congress more than 10 years ago, no longer applies. The Center for Biological Diversity and Sierra Club expanded its lawsuit in September to include this issue.
The border-wall replacement project would include 14 miles of new primary and secondary border fencing from the Pacific Ocean to Otay Mesa. This region of coastal San Diego County contains wetlands, streams and other rare wildlife habitats, as well as critical habitat for numerous endangered species, including the Quino checkerspot butterfly and coastal California gnatcatcher.
A recent study by the Center for Biological Diversity identified more than 90 endangered or threatened species that would be threatened by proposed wall construction along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.
Beyond jeopardizing wildlife, endangered species and public lands, the U.S.-Mexico border wall is part of a larger strategy of ongoing border militarization that damages human rights, civil liberties, native lands, local businesses and international relations. The border wall impedes the natural migrations of people and wildlife that are essential to healthy diversity.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.