September 2023 Vigil Press Kit

Border Memorial Vigil Bios & Profile Pics 

Rio Grande Memorial Vigil

Vigil in remembrance of all the needless loss of life along the Rio Grande.

September 4, 2023 Monday 7:00 PM Shelby Park, 220 Main Street, Eagle Pass, TX

Guests are requested to wear white 

Please bring white flowers to lay on the river at the conclusion of the service

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In this kit: 

Event Content Video and Images

A message to media:

Link to Event Content with photos and additional information

Invocation Hermano Julio Vasquez, Iglesia San Lucas Luterana, Eagle Pass

Speaker Valeria Wheeler, Executive Director Mission Border Hope

Youth Speaker Carlos Longoria 

Closing Prayer Pastor Javier Leyva, Lead Pastor First United Methodist Church of Eagle Pass

Tentative Order of Service

Available for Interview On Site:

Map 

Event Content Video and Images

A message to media:

The Eagle Pass Border Coalition invites you and your media colleagues to join us for a Rio Grande Memorial Vigil at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 4 at Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, Texas. This is a vigil of remembrance for the needless loss of life along the Rio Grande. Life is precious, we want to remember those who have been lost. This is a memorial service and flowers vigil that will last thirty minutes. It will be held at the Shelby Park boat ramp. The event will feature a variety of community speakers, clergy, and musicians. After the service the Vigil organizers will make members of our planning team available for interviews. Due to the somber nature of the event, we ask that you do not ask community members directly for interviews.    

We welcome you as a member of the media Monday night to bear witness to the lives of those who have perished unnecessarily on the Rio Grande. We ask you to bring your compassion and solidarity to this ongoing tragedy, and to share our story of hope, prayers, and unity for a more peaceful and compassionate world. We would appreciate it if you could respect the diversity and sensitivity of our audience, and avoid any actions or words that might offend or divide our community. We believe that your attendance would be a valuable and meaningful support to our vigil.

Invocation
Hermano Julio Vasquez, Iglesia San Lucas Luterana, Eagle Pass


Pastor Julio Vasquez is the leader of the Iglesia San Lucas Luterana, a Lutheran church in Eagle Pass, Texas. He is a passionate preacher who shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with his congregation and the community. He is also involved in various social and humanitarian projects, such as helping migrants, feeding the hungry, and supporting education
Speakers
Valeria Wheeler, Executive Director Mission Border Hope

Valeria Wheeler is the executive director of Mission: Border Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides medical and humanitarian aid to migrants and asylum seekers in Eagle Pass, Texas. She works closely with U.S. Border Patrol and local authorities to coordinate the reception and transportation of migrants who are released from U.S. custody. She is also a passionate advocate for humane and compassionate border policies that respect the dignity and rights of all people

Youth Leader Carlos Longoria

Closing Prayer
Pastor Javier Leyva, Lead Pastor First United Methodist Church of Eagle Pass
Pastor Javier Leyva leads the First United Methodist Church of Eagle Pass and also serves as the board chair of Mission: Border Hope, a nonprofit organization that assists migrants and asylum seekers in Eagle Pass, Texas. He ministers to the Eagle Pass community and collaborates with federal, state, and local authorities to help migrants who are released from U.S. custody. He is also a passionate advocate for Border Security without cruelty, and he believes that we can protect our country and our values without harming or violating the rights of the people who seek refuge here.

Tentative Order of Service
Time Activity

6:00 PM
Car Show – Juan Sifuentes, EP Car & Bike Community
Maverick County Lake

6:30
Blessing of Cars and Drivers

Cruise
Leave Maverick County Lake

Cruise Main Street to Shelby Park, if train, Garrison overpass alternate route
EP Car & Bike vehicles park at boat ramp, all other vehicles park at upper east lot by border wall

7:00 PM
Invocation Julio Vasquez, Iglesia Luterana San Lucas

Remarks at Boat Ramp, Youth speaker - Carlos Longoria

Remarks at Boat Ramp, Mission Border Hope

Closing Prayer at Boat Ramp, Pastor Javier Leyva

7:30 PM
Release of flowers from boat ramp

Available for Interview On Site:

• Juan Sifuentes, Eagle Pass Car & Bike Community
• Pastor Julio Vasquez y esposa Emma Espino, Iglesia Luterana San Lucas
• Valeria Wheeler, Mission Border Hope
• Carlos Longoria, student
• Pastor Javier Leyva, First Methodist Church
• Jessie F. Fuentes, Epi’s Canoe and Kayak Team
• Juanita Martinez, LULAC
• Ari Sawyer, US Border Researcher
• Amerika Garcia Grewal, Border Vigil Organizer