SAN ANTONIO – In a call to protect and maintain historical past, U.S. Congressmen have despatched a letter to National Park Services asking them to stay the missions secure and damage-free.
The call comes after non-profits that assist care for the missions say there was an uptick in vandalism.
“When someone puts a knife through it or cuts through it, they’re cutting into our heritage,” mentioned Rebecca Simmons, Executive Director of Las Missiones.
Simmons instructed she has noticed the unlucky development of vandalism on the Missions upward thrust over the last few years.
“Throwing red paint on the convent over at San Jose, trying to break through doors, Mission San Juan where they broke the latch off the door, Breaking Glass at the rose window over at San Jose,” mentioned Simmons.
Simmons mentioned the maintenance for the damages aren’t easy or reasonable, including that on every occasion paintings is completed, it should maintain the construction’s historical past.
“Jim Bowie stood up there on the top of Mission Concepcion for the battle of Concepcion; there is original plaster on that building,” mentioned Simmons.
Cristóbal Lopez, Texas Field Representative for the National Parks Conservation Association, and Simmons mentioned the vandalism varies from small to large however has grow to be extra constant.
One of the newest and demanding incidents came about this summer season at Missions San Jose when its ancient rose window was once damaged.
When requested in the event that they believed the Missions had been being centered, Lopez mentioned he didn’t know.
Simmons went on to percentage main points on what came about after they were given into the grounds.
“Sometimes they want to get in, and they get in, and nothing happens. Sometimes they carve initials, and sometimes they break things,” mentioned Simmons.
Both Simmons and Lopez took their considerations to U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro. Castro then partnered with fellow congressman Henry Cuellar and Greg Casar to write a letter to the National Park Services, declaring, “Create a plan to ensure our Missions remain safe and damage-free. We are worried that without proper protection and security, the San Antonio Missions may not survive another 300 years.”
“The park staff here at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park does an incredible job, given the resources that they have. If we can get the park service more funding, then they’re able to expand the resources to be able to further protect,” mentioned Lopez.
Read the overall letter to the National Park Services beneath,
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