SAN ANTONIO – April 15, 2020 — This is an open letter written by Tap Pilam Coahuiltecan Nation Spokesperson Mr. Ramon Vasquez to the Texas Historic Commission. The letter is requesting the Texas Historic Commission to deny the permit request made by the Texas General Land Office and Alamo Trust Inc. which want to further desecrate the bodies of 4 human remains found at the Alamo.
Open Letter from Ramon Vasquez
Esteemed Texas Historic Commission,
As the Executive Director of the American Indians in Texas-Spanish Colonial Missions, I understand that the GLO and Alamo Trust Inc. have requested a permit from the Texas Historical Commission to remove the 4 bodies disturbed during the excavations at the Alamo, and to hold them for 10 years to be later reburied in the Monks Chambers. This decision is scheduled for April 14-15, 2020.
We ask that you NOT approve a permit to remove the bodies, as they have been disrespected and disturbed enough. A vote for a permit may go against pending litigation and potentially Federal and State judicial orders. We ask that you consider our request before making a decision for the Texas GLO and Alamo Trust Inc. permits.
The San Antonio de Valero Cemetery deserves the consideration and protection as a State Unverified or Abandoned Cemetery under the laws of Texas. The GLO and the Alamo Trust have shown total disregard for the lineal descendants and Tribal community most culturally affiliated to the Human Remains. Most shocking is that the GLO and the Alamo Trust Inc. would proceed with such a request during a time when the world is dealing with a Pandemic.
This is a deliberate attempt to once again minimize the participation of concerned citizens as well as the lineal descendants, next of kin who have protections under the Texas Health and Safety Code to determine what happens to their Ancestral remains.
We are calling on defenders of Native American rights to send an email or call the Texas Historic Commission denouncing the Texas General Land Office and Alamo Trust Inc request for permits on April 14th and 15th. Please call or email Esther Brickley, Senior Executive Assistant, 512-463-5768, Esther.Brickley@thc.texas.gov.
ABOUT TĀP PĪLAM COAHUILTECAN NATION
Tāp Pīlam Coahuiltecan Nation is a Tribal community of affiliated Bands and Clans of the Payaya, Pacoa, Borrado, Pakawan, Paguame, Papanac, Hierbipiame, Xarame, Pajalat, Tilijae nations, modernly known as Coahuiltecans. Our traditional homeland consists, by today’s political boundaries as Texas, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, and Northern Potosi. We are people of two Countries and have been regarded by both as foreigners in our own homeland. Learn more at https://tappilam.org.
