With HB 1836, the Alamo Cenotaph Bill, getting a hearing, we thought it was time to set the record straight on the TNM’s years-long fight for the Alamo.
While many concerned Texans have recently had their hand in this work, there are definitely a few roosters, sensing that the sun is rising, who are striding forth to claim sole credit for the many years of work done by the [tnm_total_registered_users] supporters of the TNM to protect the Alamo.
The Texas Nationalist Movement has been on the front lines for defending the Alamo since the group’s inception in 2005. Because the Alamo is the shrine and nativity of Texas Liberty and independence, it is inconceivable that the organization devoted to those principles would abandon such a symbol to its adversaries. Here are a few highlights of how the TNM has worked to defend the cradle of Texas liberty.
- In 2010, TNM called on Governor Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott to sue Mexico for the return of Alamo/Texas Revolution artifacts, including the true Alamo flag.
- In 2011, we campaigned against HB 3725, the law that ultimately removed the Daughters of the Republic of Texas from the maintenance and preservation of the Alamo, installing GLO in its place.
- In 2011, the TNM fought against the inclusion of the Alamo in the UNESCO World Heritage Site program, a big part of the problems facing the Alamo now.
- In 2012, TNM organized the Alamo Memorial Guard, a group of volunteers tasked with non-politically memorializing the Alamo heroes with a monthly silent wreath-laying, bringing focus on the sacrifice of those that died for Texas freedom which continues to this day.
- In 2013, TNM was instrumental in preventing Kanye West from using the Alamo as a cynical prop for the debut his ‘New Slaves’ music video.
- In 2014, TNM organized supporters to press the new and evasive Alamo committees to incorporate the following principles into their restoration plans: restore the Alamo Battleground to its original hallowed footprint to include the original walls of the compound; close off the battleground to vehicular traffic and restrict vendors to the outside perimeter of the battleground complex; build a museum complex to house a permanent collection of important artifacts of the Alamo, the war for independence, and the Republic of Texas, transfer ownership of the battleground complex, including the current Alamo Plaza, to the State of Texas to be managed in joint partnership with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, reject and prohibit any attempt to designate the Alamo as a UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. Many of these principles were ultimately incorporated.
- In 2015, we worked with Texas State Senator Donna Campbell to craft an promote SB 191, a bill that (if passed) would’ve prevented the UN or any entity foreign to Texas from having “ownership, control, or management of the Alamo complex.”
- In 2017, the TNM sounded the alarm when it was clear the newly-dubbed Reimagine the Alamo project was trying to remove the Cenotaph, sideline the 1836 battle to an obscure footnote amidst a sea of political correctness, and how the project had become financially unaccountable.
- In 2018, TNM commissioned a report on the Alamo project, detailing San Antonio and the GLO’s crass political maneuvering and fiscal mismanagement of the funds allocated it by Texas, distributing it to members of the Texas Legislature.
- In 2019, TNM worked behind the scenes with Texas Legislators (such as Kyle Biedermann) to help author/correct bills for the current legislative session, all aimed at protecting the Alamo grounds and undoing the damage already done.
- In 2019, TNM helped bring public pressure to bear while working closely with members of the Legislature to help to begin making reality the goals we have long held for the Alamo, beginning with getting a hearing for HB1836.
There are other important Alamo bills besides HB1836 that still need to be fought for. Nonetheless, the faint smell of victory is in the air for this one battle in a much larger and longer war for the heart and soul of Texas. This is mainly because of your support for the TNM’s work. Keep up the good work and keep the pressure on.
