It Could Happen Here – "New Wall Construction and Borderlands Resistance"
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: James Stout (Cool Zone Media)
Guest: Eric Mesa (Borderlands Coordinator, Sierra Club)
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the escalation of border wall construction in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, its environmental and human costs, and forms of grassroots resistance. Host James interviews Eric Mesa to discuss new projects, the consequences for wildlife and indigenous lands, organizing strategies, and ways listeners can engage and support borderland communities.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. New Border Wall Projects and Their Scope
[02:33–04:19]
- Border Patrol's Plans: CBP recently announced intentions to construct nearly 10 new miles of border barrier (west of Tecate) and introduce over 51 miles of “system attributes.”
- System Attributes Explained:
- Poorly defined but include expanded lighting, surveillance technology, and new roads for Border Patrol vehicles.
- Impact Zone: The wall will impact the Otay Mountain Wilderness, a remote, biodiverse region, also the birthplace of the Tijuana River.
- "This is going to have a huge impact on the area... through an area that it is very remote montane region." – Eric Mesa [03:36]
2. Environmental & Human Costs
[04:19–07:39]
- Environmental Consequences:
- Massive land disturbance (blasting, clear-cutting, road expansion)
- Introduction of invasive plants, flooding, loss of native species
- Threats to rare plants and wildlife movement (e.g., mule deer, mountain lions)
- Sacred Indigenous Sites:
- "These areas have been sacred sites for the indigenous communities since time immemorial." – Eric Mesa [06:40]
- Wildlife Encounters:
- James recounts witnessing mule deer distressed and attempting to reach water sources blocked by the wall.
3. Bureaucratic Participation & Resistance
[08:34–09:34]
- Public Comment Period:
- CBP is soliciting community feedback, but Eric shares skepticism based on ignored past efforts.
- Importance lies in documenting opposition: “Trying to do something, I think, adds value. It shows that we didn't let this just happen.” – James [08:19]
4. Expansion under Current Administration
[10:01–13:05]
- New Funding:
- $46.5 billion allocated to border security, with contracts for 230 miles of new barrier and 400 miles of surveillance tech.
- Doubling of barriers: In some areas, a secondary wall will be constructed next to the existing 30-foot wall.
- Humanitarian Impact:
- As the wall expands, migrants are forced into more dangerous, remote areas, increasing deaths.
- “Forcing people into those remote areas and then constructing barriers there too… it's just going to cause more deaths.” – James [12:11]
5. Fractured Landscapes and Ecological Consequences
[13:05–14:29]
- Increased border militarization leads to new roads, human encroachment, and further environmental fragmentation.
- “It's just going to end the last of the remaining wildlife remote migration corridors as well.” – Eric Mesa [14:11]
6. Community Organizing & Direct Action
[19:34–23:53]
- Historic Example (Arizona Shipping Containers):
- Grassroots coalition stopped illegal shipping-container wall construction; the community rallied and preserved the landscape.
- “A bunch of people really came together... and stopped the machines and we said, no, they're not going to move any further.” – Eric Mesa [21:19]
- Ongoing Resistance:
- Collaboration between humanitarian, environmental, and indigenous groups
- Emphasis on creative advocacy: Direct action, inviting media, art performances
- Caution around government repression makes activism risky: "So it is just walking that fine line… make a bold statement and show opposition without putting people in danger." – Eric Mesa [23:38]
7. Narrative Control & Media Blindspots
[25:11–28:36]
- Misinformation and Negativity:
- National narratives heavily militarized, painting the borderlands as “sacrifice zones.”
- First-hand visitors often surprised by the region's warmth, beauty, and vibrant organizing.
- Right-Wing Media Prominence:
- Mainstream coverage sparse except from Fox News; borderlands realities often misrepresented.
8. Building Solidarity and Ways to Help
[33:27–38:52]
- Mirroring Border Issues at Home:
- Listeners encouraged to start by engaging with social/environmental justice in their own communities.
- “Social justice and environmental justice is the same thing.” – Eric Mesa [36:08]
- Financial Support:
- Donations to grassroots & mutual aid groups are impactful.
- Policy Engagement:
- Example: Senator Mike Lee (Utah) promotes privatizing public lands for border security, affecting all Americans.
- "I do not understand how there is a constituency that wants to take land from the public domain and turn it into military bases and oil fields and McMansions for rich people." – James [39:08]
9. Staying Involved & Further Resources
[40:39–43:38]
- Follow & Connect:
- Sierra Club Borderlands: website & social media (@SierraClubBorderlands)
- New coalition site: Border Wall Resistance (decentralized info, updates, vivid photography)
- Efforts like “Rally for the Valley” organize around high-risk zones for new construction.
- Solidarity Network:
- The “borderlands region” includes much of the Great Lakes and coastlines—2/3 of the US population is affected by border policy.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
"We might lose some very sacred sites for the tribes forever."
— Eric Mesa [06:35]
"All the stuff that is really bad in America right now, it started at the border."
— James [09:34]
"People made that less bad. They kept them safe. And there'd have been a lot more people who, who didn't make it through outdoor detention if it wasn't for community support."
— James [34:22]
"Whatever you're passionate about, just get involved. But I think the worst thing that we can do right now is just to ignore the fact that we are in a bad spot."
— Eric Mesa [36:08]
"[The borderlands] is just 2,000 miles of wonderlands. So unfortunately separated by in many cases by this huge metal 30 foot structure."
— Eric Mesa [42:14]
"Two thirds of the population of this country lives on the borderlands region... that includes coastlines and the Great Lakes."
— Eric Mesa [43:27]
Timestamps of Important Segments
- [02:33] – Introduction, border wall plan overview
- [04:19] – Environmental and indigenous impacts
- [07:39] – Wildlife stories and community comment process
- [10:01] – National scope: $46.5b budget & further expansion
- [12:11] – Humanitarian crisis: migration routes and deaths
- [19:34] – Direct action and resistance examples
- [25:11] – Mainstream media’s failure to represent borderlands
- [33:27] – Community support along the border; lessons for the nation
- [35:24] – Practical ways to support from anywhere
- [40:39] – Where to follow and participate in advocacy
Resources and Further Involvement
- Sierra Club Borderlands:
- Website: Search for "Sierra Club Borderlands"
- Social media: @SierraClubBorderlands
- Border Wall Resistance:
- Website: borderwallresistance.org
- Rally for the Valley:
- Grassroots video and updates about organizing in San Rafael Valley
- Grassroots/Local groups:
- Contact these networks for collaboration or to be connected with local projects, regardless of your state
This episode offers a candid, grounded look at the ongoing, often-hidden struggles in the US borderlands—a space of loss, resistance, and hope, where collective action and solidarity remain necessary antidotes to militarization and environmental devastation.