Senator Asks that Controversial Website be Taken Down
Office of Senator José Rodríguez—March 9th, 2011
Today, Senator Rodríguez sent a letter to Texas Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples urging him to immediately remove a website hosted by his agency. The website, www.protectyourtexasborder.com, has attracted many who have posted comments on the site advocating violence against those who cross the border illegally.
The text of the letter is as follows:
“Dear Commissioner Staples:
It has been brought to my attention that the Texas Department of Agriculture recently launched the website www.protectyourtexasborder.com. After visiting the site, I am very concerned that it unfairly and incorrectly portrays safety and crime in our Texas border towns and cities.
Although I agree that more should be done by the federal government to address border security, this website does nothing more than create a forum that has already been used to promote violence and hate.
Examples were reported today by The Texas Tribune, including the following comments posted to the Department’s site:
‘User jcarrott suggests: ‘The most well known fighters of our Revolutionary war were not trained, they used hide and shot tactics that would work great today… If we — Americans — start shooting the bad guys, they will get the message!’
’2$Bill offers methods like ‘watch groups, community patrols, land mines, tiger traps and roving packs of rabid [weasels].’
‘BTKKilla is more succinct, advising: ‘Killem all!!!! They are destroying or great country.’
As you may know, in 2010 the City of El Paso was named the Safest Large City in America by CQ Press. This is due in large part to effective local law enforcement agencies and the great deal of pride and respect which exists in our community. The low crime rates continue in spite of El Paso being located across the border from one of the most violent cities in the world, Ciudad Juárez.
I implore you to remove this website immediately. Allowing the spread of violent messages is simply unacceptable and will do nothing to truly address the issues associated with border security.
The moment we, as government officials, begin to allow violent rhetoric to be promoted through government websites and the like, we put our citizens at risk.”
