In an effort to voice their disapproval of the 'Take Our Border Back' convoy, a group of community leaders in Eagle Pass, Texas, held a press conference on Friday. The convoy, which departed from Virginia earlier this week, aims to protest the Biden administration's policy on illegal immigration and has planned rallies in Yuma, Arizona, San Ysidro, California, and Eagle Pass.

Initially consisting of a few-dozen vehicles, the convoy has grown significantly in size and was still expanding on Friday, according to CBS News. As tensions in Texas escalated, the Supreme Court's decision to allow federal agents to remove razor wire from the state's southern border, following Texas Governor Greg Abbott's orders, further fueled the controversy.

During the press conference, prominent locals such as Mike Garcia from the Eagle Pass chamber of commerce, Pastor Julio Vasquez from a Lutheran church in the area, and retired educator and businessman Jessie Fuentes delivered speeches in both English and Spanish. Fuentes specifically urged visitors to embrace the town's cultural diversity and expressed opposition to those who preach hate.

Fuentes also criticized Governor Abbott for utilizing their community for political theater and accused Texan authorities of taking over Shelby Park and transforming it into what he called a "military base." The park, which holds significant historical and cultural value for the locals, has now become inaccessible due to the blockade imposed by authorities.

Youth activist Amerika Garcia, who campaigned for the renaming of Shelby Park in 2020, also spoke at the event and expressed surprise at the visit of 15 governors to Eagle Pass, suggesting they had responsibilities in their own states to attend to.

Following the press conference, a video of the event was posted on YouTube by Vote Common Good, a Christian group known for opposing far-right extremism. The group denounced the convoy for using "racist, antisemitic dog whistles" in their rhetoric and spreading falsehoods about border security.

Newsweek has reached out to Take Our Border Back for comment via email, as the organization came under scrutiny after a video surfaced showing an antisemitic remark made during one of their Texas events, claiming that "terrorists coming across the border [are] being funded by Jewish money."

The 'Take Our Border Back' Texas rally is scheduled to take place in Quemado, located approximately 20 miles northeast of Eagle Pass. The event is set to commence at 12 p.m. CST on Saturday and will continue until the evening.

As the controversy surrounding the convoy intensifies, community leaders in Eagle Pass are actively voicing their opposition and advocating for understanding, diversity, and respect within their own community.