Downtown Arena: What Exactly Happened Yesterday?
We have not seen the filings, but last week Judge Patrick
Garcia was going to rule on an injunction stopping demolition in Duranguito.
From what we understand, the City of El Paso, when choosing a site for the
arena, did not have the Texas Antiquities board review their proposed site. We
are guessing that we are waiting for a ruling from them. Also, several places
are the listed for potential national historical recognition.
Judge Garcia continued the hearing until Sept. 11.
At that
hearing, it appeared Judge Garcia was ready to make his decision, but there
appeared to be some stalling from the attorney for the City.
The City’s
attorney began asking questions of the Judge. The Judge had announced he was
ready to grant the injunction, however, close to 5pm, the attorneys for the
City had somehow circumvented Judge Garcia to “stay” his decision.
Witnesses say another person came in and told the attorney
for the City, “Osborne,” that “we got it” and Osborne informed Judge Garcia
that they had gotten a stay.
Witnesses said Judge Garcia said what had been
done by the City’s attorney was “dirty.”
Attorneys, who had been arguing for
the injunction, immediately wrote out a motion for an injunction with the Texas
Court of Appeals.
The media took photos and video of them standing outside the clerk’s
office writing the motion out.
Meanwhile, the City began hauling in equipment to begin
demolition of the buildings.
Supporters of Duranquito quickly spread the word
and social media inflamed with calls for support.
Hundreds gathered in Duranguito.
Several events occurred including the blocking of the removal of the equipment
from the tractor trailers and removal of fences that had been already erected.
El Paso Police Department was called out and crowds grew.
Commissioner David Stout and Senator Jose Rodriguez were
present at the action including members of Paso del Sur, Gilbert Guillen,
Tonita, historians David Romo and Yolanda Leyva, and Professor Max Grossman.
While this was occurring, the lawyers supporting Duranguito announced
that the Court of Appeals had granted their motion for injunction.
However, even though the Court of Appeals had issued the
stop, the City wanted to leave the equipment in Duranguito, so protestors
blocked the leaving of equipment until finally the tractors trailers that
brought the equipment, left the neighborhood.
Also earlier Monday, Paso del Sur presented the second set
of petitions to the city to put the question of using Duranguito for an arena
on the ballot.
What occurred were dirty tricks by the City of El Paso’s attorneys,
but was met with legal action and people power by Duranguito supporters.
We will publish more information as it comes in.
