Est. 1981
Vol.70 Issue 10
A p r il 8 - A p r il 1 5 , 2 0 2 5
THE PAISANO
Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community /PaisanoOnline
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paisano-online.com Erick Henriquez Camargo/The Paisano
“Hands Off!” rally against the Trump Administration
Demonstrators gathered at 115 Main Plaza to participate in the “Hands Off!” protest — various speakers reflected upon their personal experiences being affected by the Trump administration and DOGE.
By Marisela Cruz Assistant News Editor
A
nationwide rally called “Hands Off!” occurred this past Saturday to protest against President Donald Trump, his administration and Elon Musk’s actions with the Department of Government Efficiency. The organizers of the event were members of 50501, a grassroots movement originating from Reddit dedicated to peaceful protests. Demonstrators in San Antonio rallied together at 11 a.m. on April 5 at 115 Main Plaza, chanting, “This is what democracy looks like.” The message stated on the “Hands Off!” website reads, “On April 5th, we take action. Across the country, thousands of people will march, rally, disrupt and demand an end to this billionaire power grab. We’ll show up at state capitols, federal buildings, congressional offices and city centers — anywhere we can make sure they hear us.” An email from “Hands Off!” organizers claimed over 500,000 activists attended the nationwide event. Thousands of people rallied at the center of San Antonio to protest against the Trump Administration “to keep their hands off” Medicaid, VA benefits, social security, libraries, schools, freedom of speech and other issues. Some groups took to Commerce Street, Soledad Street, Market Street and onward to chant, “We’re here. We’re free. We’re fighting for democracy.”
Others who stayed in the communal area of Main Plaza spoke among each other or chose to listen to the speakers at the event. Almost everyone showed up with personally designed signs reading messages, such as, “So dire even introverts are here” and “Patriots fight fascism.” Retired veterans attended wearing their military branch symbols on their hats and shirts. Families with children, people of color and LGBTQ+ people attended. While members of 50501 organized the event, members of Indivisible, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Texas State Employees Union and the Bexar County Democratic Party attended. “Everybody that I touch is affected by this,” said Sarah Magallan, an attendee at the protest. “I have a daughter that’s a veteran. I have a daughter that’s gay. I have cousins that are trans. I have people on Medicare. I have people that receive food stamps. We’re all American citizens. We’re the ones paying the taxes; it’s not right. How many more people have to be convicted or charged before this man is removed.” Throughout the protest site, American iconographies were displayed — such as a man dressed as Uncle Sam and a couple dressed in American flags. The couple requested to remain anonymous when commenting on why they chose their attire for the rally. “To take back the symbol that this flag is supposed to
stand for,” the couple said. “We give a pledge of allegiance in school, and we’re supposed to pledge allegiance to this country. But the person in charge right now does not represent this country. He doesn’t stand for what this flag stands for.” Speakers from the event shared their personal experiences with the Trump administration or DOGE. “I’m a DOGE-impacted federal scientist. Right now, we’re watching the takeover of our government for billionaires by billionaires. This is a call to action,” said Dr. Kristin Hook, who attended the rally as a spokesperson. Jesse Manciaz and UTSA alumni Peter AndradeóCoen, who are retired veterans from the Marines, spoke on the reason for their attendance. “The big one is that I want my country back,” Manciaz said. “I want my land back, but there are so many things that we are losing, beginning with our veteran rights, all of my family. “Me, my son and my daughter are veterans, and my daughter works for the VA. She’s afraid of losing her job. I’ve always been proud to be an American, but now I question what this country is all about. How could we bring to the highest position a person that has been a rapist and a criminal? And he evaded the draft five different times, and he is in charge of our troops.” The protest dispersed around 2 p.m. that day. Other “Hands Off!” protests will continue across the country.
District 8 residents meet with City Manager to discuss Project Marvel
Conservation Society lawsuit attempts to halt ITC demolition
District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez and City Manager Erik Walsh called a town hall meeting to inform citizens of San Antonio about the developing Project Marvel — the city’s ongoing proposal to build a new sports and entertainment district. The officials hosting the meeting addressed any questions concerning the city’s project development. Pelaez began the meeting on April 2 at 6 p.m., allowing Walsh and Assistant City Manager Lori Houston to discuss the updates on the project. Visual aids of the expected eight developments of the new sports and entertainment district were presented by Walsh; he addressed the demand for more convention centers and stadiums to host concerts, national conferences and conventions. In the center of District One, it was illustrated that the eight developments are Henry B. González Convention Center expansion; the construction of a new Spurs arena, fostering a mixed new development; a reimagined Alamodome; renovating the John Woods Courthouse into an entertainment venue; a UTSA School of Hospitality and Convention Center and enhancing downtown infrastructure. The planning of Project Marvel started in 2023. Walsh mentioned the city does not have enough money to fund the overall project. He compares the city’s future project to others like Austin and Houston tearing down their convention center to build new ones, explaining that “we need to remain competitive.” For the project to become a reality, there needs to be a certain number of votes to be met to grant a bond issue. “This project is going to happen, either all of it or some of it,” Walsh said. “We are not building this project for tourists, we are building it for San Antonians.” Houston discussed the projected outcome of the finished developments, suggesting that the new arenas and convention centers will attract events
In a further attempt to save the Texas Pavilion at Hemisfair, former home to the Institute of Texan Cultures, the San Antonio Conservation Society has filed a lawsuit alleging that the City of San Antonio and the UT System mishandled procedure when approving the demolition. The suit aims to stop any and all demolition work on the Texas Pavilion until the required procedure is followed, preventing the City of San Antonio and the UT System from entering any new contracts related to the project. The lawsuit asks that the City of San Antonio and UTSA halt all demolition procedures until a required federal review of the demolition plans can be completed. Additionally, the San Antonio Conservation Society is requesting that it be included as a party in any memorandums of understanding or agreements regarding the demolition of the pavilion. The society also emphasized the need for public input regarding the demolition. “This is public land. Public money should have public input, which hasn’t really happened,” Conservation Society President Lewis Vetter said in an interview with The Paisano. According to Vetter, the Texas Pavillion’s notable significance, the wavering public support for Project Marvel and the uncertainty behind the construction of a new Spurs Arena are some of the motivating factors behind
By Marisela Cruz Assistant News Editor
and stimulate the local economy. The demolition of historical buildings for the project has posed a major obstacle. In light of UTSA coming to the city to request relocation of the Institute of Texan Cultures, they bought the Texas Pavilion to demolish it. Walsh emphasized that his top priority is maintaining the Convention Center, not necessarily the Texas Pavilion. No construction has started, there is no funding for the project and the city must approve certain aspects of the development. Residents attended the close to two-hour meeting with lots of questions. Concluding the presentation at 7 p.m., Plaez asked Walsh about pressing concerns that the residents at the townhall had. The floor was granted to the attendees to speak about their concerns. “I want to see how much we’re making and where that money goes,” District 8 resident Curt Andrews said. “What’s the situation for parking, and what is public transportation going to look like to access the arenas?” asked a resident. “I don’t see myself in this project at all. It looks like this development is just going to raise prices on people living there, making it harder to attend events at these new buildings,” another resident commented. Lewis Vetter, the President of the Conservation Society of San Antonio, sat in the front row of the meeting and had sent a question for Palaez to ask Houston: “Why do you hate the Texas Pavilion?” Walsh personally addressed Vetter, saying that in light of the lawsuit filed earlier that morning against San Antonio, he decided to address the question. Everything in the project is still developing. So far, the city, county, and Spurs have signed a memorandum of understanding. There is a developing community engagement plan in motion. Houston comments that this project is predicted to be completed by 2038.
By Jake Mireles Editor-in-Chief
the lawsuit. “What is the rush to tear down this building? There are so many undecided issues about Project Marvel, including public financing, the existing Spurs lease at the Frost Bank Center, tepid public support for Project Marvel and uncertainty of state and federal transportation funds,” Vetter said in a press statement regarding the lawsuit. “This demolition is premature until a plan and financing are in place.” The lawsuit, which was filed in a state district court, names UTSA and the City of San Antonio. According to KSAT 12, the suit alleges that the City of San Antonio improperly used UTSA to receive the demolition permit, forgoing a required federal review process for the demolition of the pavilion. However, it appears that this lawsuit has done little to deter the City of San Antonio from moving forward with plans for a new entertainment district — and a new Spurs Arena. On Friday, the City of San Antonio and Spurs Sports and Entertainment signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the new district. “This agreement to pursue a downtown sports and entertainment district that includes the Spurs represents a shared commitment to the future of our community,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in a statement to KSAT 12. This is a developing story. For more updates, visit paisano-online.com.
Miles Jones/The Paisano
Demolition of the Texas Pavilion has been contemplated for a year.