Help SWU get on the bus to atlanta

SWU and the People's Freedom Caravan presents...

an evening of music, food, dance, drinks and social justice.

Featuring: Lotus Tribe, Roel y su conjunto, South San Mariachi

Saturday June 23rd at Ruta Maya (107 E. martin) 7p-10p

Join the People's Freedom Caravan, arriving from Albuquerque, taking off to Atlanta. (for more info call 210.299.2666)

Freedom Caravan Across Nation

For Immediate Release:

May 25, 2007

Contact: Genaro Rendon 210.286.6271 (SWU)

JoAnn Gutierrez Bejar 505.247.8832 (SWOP)

Brenda Hyde 601.982.6400 (S Echo)

Kimberly Richards 504.722.3213 (NOLA)

Freedom Caravan Across Nation

Bringing a new grassroots vision and innovations to overcome the democracy divide

In remembrance of the courage of the first Freedom Ride that met racist violence in Jackson on May 25, 2006, community leaders again will unite on the People's Freedom Caravan to promote a new vision of democracy. This is a vision based on human rights, a vision that bridges racial, geographic and cultural divides and moves beyond the status quo 'pay to play' politics. From Boston to California, Chicago to Florida, people are getting on buses, vans and cars to share their story as they make their way to the 1^st United States Social Forum in Atlanta, Ga. Every one person is a story and the masses of voices are bringing solutions to issues of violence, racism, pollution and poverty. As the freedom riders of the 1960s brought a new vision for the South based on desegregation, the People's Caravan will demonstrate that another US is possible, one that is based on equality, living wages, sustainability and human rights.

"We are going to Atlanta to build a unified voice of the people! We want to make connections across the country to create a domino effect of action and organizing," said Agnes Rivera, Community Voices Heard Leader from New York caravanning to the USSF. "On the caravan and at forum, we will discuss social safety net, jobs, and public housing, learn from each other, and strengthen our work for 'another' world."

The southern part of the People's Freedom Caravan will take off in Albuquerque where organizations are protecting sacred sites and bringing clean water and solar power to unincorporated communities. 100 people will journey to San Antonio to meet another 100 leaders and march for a living wage for all and call for a just, peaceful border. Continuing to Houston, the hub of the oil industry, the group will promote a clean renewable energy for marginalized neighborhoods that struggle against pollution and sickness.

"The stories of Houston will be on the bus, promoting our right and everyone's right to breathe clean air and live in healthy communities. With 250 people joining us here, the local people can share their vision with this social forum on wheels and get their voices to Atlanta," explained Bryan Parras of the Southern Human Rights Organizing Network in Houston.

With over 4 buses, the caravan will stop in Lake Charles, La. to promote education instead of incarceration and protect communities from contamination. In New Orleans, 4 buses will join to highlight the commitment to rebuild, the protection of the right to return, promotion of affordable safe housing and human rights for all workers. The caravan will split as some buses head down the Gulf Coast, tracing the path of the hurricanes, while other head to Jackson to remember the legacy of the civil rights movement and the steps needed to achieve true equality. Converging in Selma, Alabama, the caravan representing young and old, indigenous, migrants, Latinos, African-Americans and Asians will call for a renewed struggle to overcome the democracy divide and recognize the human rights of all people. As over 1000 people head the Atlanta, they will launch the USSF with a march into the city.

"The People's Freedom Ride is our opportunity to find the wisdom in a united struggle for justice. Post-Katrina life in New Orleans has shown that there is no recovery of the Gulf Coast, but only a massive a privatization scheme that takes away our homes, communities, and human rights. Any hope for displaced hurricane survivors to return to our homes with dignity and justice relies on a mass movement that begins with the People's Freedom Ride to the US Social Forum," said Monique Harden, Co-Director of Advocates for Environmental Human Rights.

Route and stops:

• June 22^nd – Albuquerque, NM 505.247.8832
• June 23^rd – San Antonio, TX 210.299.2666
• June 24^th (afternoon) – Houston, TX 318.514.9924 / (evening) Lake Charles, LA 504.606.8846
• June 25^th – New Orleans, LA 504.301.9292
• June 26^th (morning) – Jackson, MS 601.982.6400 / (evening) – Selma, AL 617.880. 9208
• June 27^th – March on Atlanta to USSF

Participating Organizations:

Action for Community Education Reform, Mississippi

Activists With a Purpose, Grenada (MS)

Advocates for Environmental Human Rights, New Orleans (LA)

Ashe' Cultural Center, New Orleans (LA)

Centro de Igualdad y Derechos, New Mexico

Circle of Love Center, Selma (AL)

Citizens for Education Awareness, Mississippi

Coalition In Defense of the Community, Houston (TX)

Committee for Environmental Justice Action, San Antonio (TX)

Community In-Power Development Association, Port Arthur (TX)

Concerned Citizens for a Better Tunica County, Tunica (MS)

Concerned Citizens of Greenville, Greenville (MS)

Enlace Comunitario, Albuquerque (NM)

Elwood Community Church, Selma (AL)

Federation of Child Care Centers of Alabama, Montgomery (AL)

Fourth World Movement, New Orleans (LA)

Friends and Families of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children, Lake Charles (LA)

Fuerza Unida, San Antonio (TX)

Georgia Stand Up, Atlanta (GA)

Houston Indy Media Collective, Houston (TX)

Indianola Parent Student Group, Indianola (MS)

Latino Health Outreach Project, New Orleans (LA)

League of United Latin American Citizens, Houston (TX)

Left Turn, New Orleans (LA)

Lower 9th Ward Health Clinic, New Orleans (LA)

Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, New Orleans (LA)

Millions More Movement, Houston (TX)

MLK Dream Team, Carlsbad (NM)

Mossville Environmental Action Now, Mossville (LA)

Moving Forward Gulf Coast, Slidell (LA)

National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies, New Orleans (LA)/national

New Mexico Acequia Association/Sembrando Semillas, New Mexico

New Orleans Workers' Center, New Orleans (LA)

Nollies Citizens for Quality Education, Mississippi

One Torch, New Orleans (LA)

Parents and Youth United for a Better Webster County, Webster (MS)

People's Hurricane Relief Fund, New Orleans (LA)

People's Institute for Survival and Beyond, Houston (TX), New Orleans (LA)

People's Organizing Committee, New Orleans (LA)

PODER, San Francisco (CA)

Project South, Atlanta (GA)

SAGE Council, Albuquerque (NM)

Saving Our Selves Coalition, Alabama

Somos Un Pueblo Unido, Santa Fe (NM)

Southern Echo Incorporated, Jackson (MS)

Southern Human Rights Organizing Network, Houston (TX)

SouthWest Organizing Project, Albuquerque (NM)

Southwest Workers Union, San Antonio (TX)

T.E.J.A.S, Houston (TX)

Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, Houston (TX)

Vietnamese-American Young Leaders Association of New Orleans, New Orleans (LA)

Youth Innovation Movement Solutions, Mississippi

Youth Leadership Organization, San Antonio (TX)

Youth Media Council, Oakland (CA)

Winning our jobs back

SWU fought against the unjust termination of Greg Flowers, custodian with the San Antonio Independent School District. Fired in February after a co-worker, rather than him, called in his absence because he was unable to use a telephone. With support of other SWU members, Mr. Flowers was reinstated and will received back pay for the 3 months he did not work. SWU successfully protects workers rights against discrimination, harassment and injustice.

Congratulations to Greg and all his supporters.

Marchan Inmigrantes para Demandar Derechos

Por Indra Castro, la Prensa-San Antonio

Miles de inmigrantes participaron ayer en la marcha que se realizó a nivel nacional para luchar por los derechos de este sector de la sociedad. El parque Milam, ubicado frente al Hospital Santa Rosa, fue la sede del evento en la ciudad. En el lugar, desde mediodía se empezaron a congregar los participantes,quienes unas horas después recorrieron varias calles del centro de la ciudad hasta concluir en el Parque Travis, ubicado en la calle Navarro.

A pesar del llamado para realizar un paro en las actividades, en San Antonio, negocios de inmigrantes siguieron operando de manera normal. Che López, co-director de la asociación Southwest “Estamos luchando por la justicia social y el respeto a los derechos humanos, por eso hacemos esta marcha en este que es el día Internacional de los Trabajadores y Trabajadoras. “Además queremos una Reforma Migratoria más justa, así como un alto a las deportaciones y redadas”, externó López.

Los inmigrantes, como un acto de solidaridad portaron una prenda roja, mismo color que fue usado en las banderas con diversas leyendas que portaban en sus manos. Mujeres acompañadas de sus niños gritaban frases como “No somos asesinos y mucho menos terroristas, somos gente de paz, sólo queremos trabajar” y “Queremos dignidad y respeto”.

Este país fue fundado, comentó, por el trabajo de los inmigrantes del todo mundo. A pesar de que la agrupación realizó manifestaciones previas a la Marcha Nacional para invitar a las personas a que hicieran un alto en su rutina diaria, muchos hicieron caso omiso del llamado.

“Sabemos que mucha gente no participó, pero más que nada porque necesitandel ingreso diario para poder sobrevivir, así que hasta en cierto modo es comprensible”, indicó, “pero muchos negocios sí cerraron, hubo estudiantes que no fueron a sus escuelas, y trabajadores que no acudieron a sus centros laborales”.

Durante la Marcha, y en momentos previos se recaudaron firmas que serán enviadas ante la autoridad competente para demandar una Reforma Migratoria justa, ya que el mes de agosto es el plazo para que ésta pueda ser aprobada. El movimiento social que persiguió demandar de una forma pacífica el respeto de los derechos humanos, la inconformidad contra las deportaciones, las redadas, y las leyes injustas de migración, no será el último organizado por la comunidad inmigrante.

“Tenemos varias actividades, el cinco de mayo y en junio haremos foros, haremos otras movilizaciones en octubre, y en agosto una marcha por un salario sustentable, esto también para apoyar la Reforma Migratoria”,concluyó. Por su parte, Jaime Martínez, tesorero nacional de LULAC, apoyó la movilización para pedir una Reforma Migratoria digna. “Lo que está sucediendo en América es muy triste, estas leyes de inmigración que están en un cabildeo en Washington, los políticos no entienden que la gente necesita algo justo”,puntualizó.

Se piden, observó, tres puntos que son reunificación de las familias, alto a las redadas que han separado muchas familias, y protección de los derechos laborales, porque hay mucha explotación de los trabajadores inmigrantes. “Queremos un paso a la legalización, que no haya obstáculos, como el tiempo de espera, ya que las personas quieren salir ya de la oscuridad y cumplir su sueño americano”, concluyó.

more coverage on may 1st

see pictures

Protesters call for immigration reform in rallies across Texas

By ELIZABETH WHITE Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO — Luis Romero came to the United States from Mexico City legally in 1998. The economics student said he believes immigrants, both legal and illegal, contribute much to society and the economy.

That's why Romero, 37, said he marched through downtown San Antonio on Tuesday evening to demand that Congress pass comprehensive immigration reform, and soon.

"They (illegal immigrants) have children, property," he said. "They pay taxes and they are here doing the hard jobs that other people don't want to do."

Protesters in San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and El Paso joined demonstrators nationwide Tuesday to urge lawmakers to pass immigration policies that create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. Many also condemned an increase in federal immigration raids and roundups.

San Antonio police Chief William McManus couldn't give a crowd estimate, but said while early on it looked like only a few hundred, "the numbers blossomed as the (march) started."

Organizer Che Lopez said he thought the turnout was as high as 5,000. Before ralliers began marching, they listened to dozens of speakers and observed a moment of silence for those who have died trying to cross the border into the United States.

Romero wasn't afraid to use one of the most politically charged words in the immigration debate.

"Amnesty is better than a worker program," he said, labeling as "bureaucracy" the proposals that would require illegal immigrants in the United States to return to their native countries to apply for citizenship.

Organizers of a Dallas march estimated the turnout at about 5,000, though no police estimate was available. They focused their protest on an ordinance before voters in the suburb of Farmers Branch that would make it illegal for landlords to rent apartments to illegal immigrants.

They began marching at a Catholic school, taking up more than a block. They held signs that said "No disintegration of families" and "si se puede" (yes, it can be done).

A year ago, up to a half million people gathered for a massive march and rally in downtown Dallas as part of a series of coordinated national protests intended to raise awareness on the issue of immigration reform.

"Last year these people were defending themselves. This time they're going on the offensive," said Manuel Rendon, 19, a U.S. citizen who lives in Frisco and attends Collin County Community College.

Most rallies were conducted in the late afternoon, so students and 9-to-5 workers could participate. Students left school in droves last year to join marches that drew hundreds of thousands, and administrators threatened to crack down on future violators.

Marchers in Austin planned to walk by the offices of Texas Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison after a rally at the Capitol on Tuesday evening. Both voted against a Senate bill last year that would have allowed illegal immigrants a shot at citizenship.

"We feel they don't adequately represent the needs of immigrants and their children," said Cristina Tzintzun of the Workers Defense Project, an Austin advocacy group for Latino workers.

Hunger strikers were camped outside the Cornyn's Houston office. Over the next five days, they plan to move the protests to the Harris County Democratic and Republican headquarters, Hutchison's Houston office and two parks.

"We wanted to send a message to Congress," said Mike Espinoza, a community activist and one of six hunger strikers who will be fasting for six days. "Democrats and Republicans both have been stalling out on immigration reform."

About 70 people stood under the "Welcome to Texas" sign near an international bridge connecting Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, with El Paso.

The group chanted in English and Spanish, calling for immigration reform while walking downtown. They condemned immigration raids nationwide that have led to the deportation of undocumented workers and split them from their U.S.-born children. Law enforcement officials watched the rally, which was organized by La Union del Pueblo Fronterizo.

A small group of about 40 protesters stood in front of Houston's federal building, waving American, Mexican and Salvadoran flags.

Get on the Bus: People's Freedom Caravan

People’s Freedom Caravan

Albuquerque ♦ San Antonio ♦ Houston ♦ Lake Charles ♦ New Orleans ♦ Jackson ♦ Atlanta

For Immediate Release:

May 4 2007
Contact: Genaro Rendon 210.299.26666 (SWU)
JoAnn Gutierrez Bejar 505.247.8832 (SWOP)
Brenda Hyde 601.982.6400 (S Echo)

Grassroots to Caravan across Southern U.S.
Bridging the Democracy Divide, Bringing Hundreds to US Social Forum

Southwest United States – In the spirit of the freedom rides launched 46 years ago, grassroots organizations and activists from Arizona, Alabama, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Mississippi are planning the People’s Freedom Caravan to culminate at the United States Social Forum (USSF), June 27 to July 1, 2007, in Atlanta, Ga. Southwest Workers Union, SouthWest Organizing Project, Southern Echo and the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond initiated the caravan to address the democracy divide that plagues communities in the southern half of the US.

“This is a different kind of event that will take on the democracy divide that exists between races, classes, cultures and regions,” says Genaro Rendon of SWU. “We want to connect the struggles and histories of African-Americans, Latinos and Indigenous peoples in the southern US. The Freedom Caravan is a social movement on wheels, giving us a chance to share and strategize towards achieving ‘another’ US.”

The caravan is a rebirth of grassroots politics that will include hundreds of members from community organizations that share a common vision for a more just world. This is a world where education and healthcare are valued over war, incarceration, and corporate welfare; where worker and human rights are respected; and where families live in a clean environment.

By bringing together indigenous nations, displaced peoples of New Orleans, migrant workers along the border, and youth and civil rights veterans in Mississippi, the People’s Freedom Caravan will break down the geographic, political, racial and cultural barriers that have been used to marginalize our communities. Starting in Albuquerque, the caravan will weave its way across the country, converging at cities to highlight local struggles for justice, share cultures and hold media events. The Caravan will arrive marching into Atlanta, where participants will be met by thousands of delegates at the first U.S. Social Forum.

“Our current pay to play democracy keeps low income families and communities of color down, no matter the issue- Katrina, immigrant rights, youth rights, education, housing, or the prison industry to name a few,” says JoAnn Gutierrez Bejar of SWOP. “The Caravan recognizes that real change will come from the grassroots, and will speak to the issues of those most affected by the changing economy and globalization.”

Route and stops:

• June 22^nd – Albuquerque, NM (SWOP, Sage Council) 505.247.8832
• June 23^rd – San Antonio, TX (SWU, Fuerza Unida) 210.299.2666
• June 24^th – Houston, TX (People’s Institute) 318.514.9924
• June 24^th – Lake Charles, LA (Mossville Environmental Action Network, Friends and Families of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children) 504.606.8846
• June 25^th – New Orleans, LA (People’s Institute, People’s Hurricane Relief Fund) 504.301.9292
• June 26^th – Jackson, MS (Southern Echo) 601.982.6400
• June 27^th (morning) – Montgomery, AL
• June 27^th (afternoon) – March on Atlanta to USSF

De la base ha la caravana por todo el sur de los EEUU
Un puente en la división democrática, llevando a centenares de personas al Foro Social de los EEUU

El sur oeste de los EEUU – En el espíritu de los viajes de libertad comenzados hace 46 años, organizaciones de base y activistas políticos desde Arizona, Alabama, Nuevo México, Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma y Mississippi preparan la Caravana por la Libertad del Pueblo que culminará en el Foro Social de los Estados Unidos (USSF), a celebrarse del 27 de junio al 1 de julio del 2007, en Atlanta, Georgia. La Unión de Trabajadores del Suroeste (SWU), el Proyecto Organizativo del Suroeste (SWOP), el Southern Echo e Instituto del Pueblo iniciaron esta caravana para enfrentar la división democrática que está plagando a las comunidades en la mitad sureña de los EEUU.

“Esto será un encuentro diferente que se enfrentará a la división democrática que existe entre raza, clase, cultura y regiones,” dijo Genaro Rendon de SWU. “Queremos hacer un puente entre las luchas y la historia de los pueblos afro americanos, los pueblos latinos, y los pueblos indígenas del sur de los EEUU. La Caravana por la libertad del Pueblo es un movimiento social sobre ruedas, que nos da la oportunidad de dibujar la estrategia con el fin de lograr “otro” EEUU.”

La caravana es el renacer de las políticas de base que incluirán a cientos de miembros de organizaciones comunitarias que comparten un ideal común por un mundo más justo. Un mundo donde la educación y la asistencia para la salud son valoradas por encima de la guerra, el encarcelamiento y el bienestar corporativo, donde el derecho humano y del trabajador son respetados, donde las familias viven en un medio ambiente limpio.

Al aunar a las naciones indígenas, los desplazados de Nueva Orleanas, los trabajadores emigrantes a lo largo de la frontera y a jóvenes y veteranos de los derechos civiles en Mississippi, la Caravana por la Libertad del Pueblo derribará las barreras geográficas, políticas, raciales y culturales establecidas para marginar a nuestras comunidades. Comenzando en Albuquerque, la caravana se tejerá a lo largo del país, convergiendo en ciudades para resaltar las luchas locales por la justicia, compartir sus culturas y llevar a cabo encuentros con los medios. La caravana llegará marchando hacia Atlanta, donde los participantes serán recibidos por los miles de delegados asistentes al primer Foro Social de los EEUU.

“Nuestro sistema de democracia solo para ellos que puedan pagar la entrada mantiene a las familias de bajos recursos y comunidades de personas de color aplastadas, no importa el tema, como Katrina o derechos de los inmigrantes o el sistema de educaccion” dijo JoAnn Gutierrez Bejar de SWOP. “La caravana reconoce que el cambio verdadero vendrá desde la base, y se dirigirá a los temas que conciernen a los más afectados al cambiar la economía y la globalización.”

San Antonionians flood the streets demanding migrant rights

May Day, or International Workers Day, has come back to life in the US as for the second year, families take to the streets in cities and towns across the country to call for human rights for all. In the face of increased anti-immigrant raids, separation of families, construction of walls of death along the border and 'english-only' ordinances, migrants and allies marched for just and humane policies in an air of celebration. In San Antonio, music alternated with testimonies that reflected both the cultural richness and the struggles of the community.

S.A. marchers wave many flags

Hernán Rozemberg and Guillermo Contreras
Express-News
The crowd was smaller, yes, but just as loud and effective was the conclusion reached by organizers and participants, estimated at 2,000 to 3,000, in Tuesday's immigration rally and march in downtown San Antonio.

The May Day action was observed in cities across the country in a replay of last year's unprecedented demonstrations — some as large as half a million people — that attracted the attention of national leaders who still have not settled on how to overhaul the immigration system.

People in San Antonio recognized that they came up well short of repeating last year's effort that drew about 18,000 people, but they pointed out their message will be heard just as loudly.

"I know people are afraid, with all these raids the government has been doing everywhere," said José Contreras, a 33-year-old undocumented migrant from Honduras who has been in San Antonio more than a decade and does construction work.

"That's why we had three times as many people out here last year. But this is not about numbers, but about all these brave, loud human beings desiring a normal life," said Contreras, holding up a Honduran flag along with his brother as they marched past the Alamo.

E-N Video

The scene at the local immigration march

One of the organizers, Ché López from the Southwest Workers Union, claimed attendance of 7,000 to 10,000. Rough estimates from police officers stationed along the route ranged from several hundred to 1,000.

Chief William McManus said organizers didn't obtain the necessary march permit, but he allowed them to take to the streets because he didn't think they would stir up any trouble.

Participants waved U.S., Mexican, Honduran, Spanish and Salvadoran flags — even the red, yellow and green flag of Ethiopia towered over the crowd. Homemade signs had messages ranging from "America Has Awakened — We are not Invisible" to a dig against border-watch groups such as the Minutemen: "Stop the Migrant Hunters."

Before the march, which snaked along downtown streets between Milam and Travis parks, speakers took up the microphone at Milam's gazebo to get the growing crowd motivated.

Besides community leaders, immigrants here legally and illegally felt compelled to share their stories to prove the immigration system needs changing. One recalled her daughter, a U.S. citizen, not being allowed back in the country after going to Mexico, while another lamented her father's deportation.

Perhaps symbolizing this year's low-key affair in comparison to last year's turnout, planned walkouts by dozens of high school students across the city never materialized.

Several students interviewed at two schools, Brackenridge and Fox Tech, said they had heard about walkouts and were not sure why they didn't happen.

Also, the call for a strike and economic boycott seemed to be heeded by only a few. Some family restaurants shuttered as staffers joined the march, but most businesses said they were not affected.

Antonio Márquez, Raul Ortiz Politrón and three fellow employees of a local truck wash business said they had been denied time to attend the rally but took off anyway.

Márquez and Ortiz said they work under aliases, and, like many of the marchers, seek the necessary immigration paperwork to come out of the shadows.

"If they need us to work extra hours, we do it. Because of us, the work gets done, and they don't appreciate that," said Márquez, originally from Mexico. "This (march) is too important. This comes first, then the rest."

Mexican-born Mario Colunga and Lucio Hernández, whose clothes bore the cement they toiled in earlier in the day, said they hoped their participation would help spur the government to act.

"This represents the country I'm in," said Colunga, the U.S. flag draped over his shoulders. "We had to come and represent. We need this country like it needs us. Maybe it can adopt us."

KSAT 12 Video

San Anto Celebrates Int'l Workers Day

The Celebration has begun -- Come out to Milam Park -- march at 6pm

Peoples Demands:

Full Rights & Living wages for ALL Workers. A STOP to deportations and raids.

YES to just immigration reform. NO ‘Death Wall’ on the border, NO racist Minutemen.

RIGHT OF RETURN for Katrina Survivors. STOP the war in Iraq.

Education and Health care for ALL. An END to failed ‘Free Trade’ Treaties.

News
WOAI - May Day March could cause student walk out

Heads up parents! Your child may be planning to walk out of class Tuesday as part of a nationwide protest.

May 1st is International Workers Day. Various groups plan to hold rallies and protests for immigrants rights across the country.

The Southwest Workers Union is organizing a rally and march in San Antonio. The march will take place in Milam Park. Although the march doesn't start until 6 p.m., they want people to take the day off from work and school as part of the protest.

"I'd like to see the masses come out in support of migrant workers and migrant rights," said Che Lopez of the Southwest Worker's Union.

Schools here tell us students who skip class can face a range of punishment, including suspension.

Radioactive Water

Residents, officials troubled about uranium mining in Goliad County

Joe Conger
KENS 5 Eyewitness News

Uranium promises to help wean America off its foreign oil dependence, but some opponents say it's costing them their livelihood. The KENS 5 I-Team found numerous violations for a uranium company digging up 5 million pounds of high-dollar ore southeast of San Antonio.

These days the talk in Goliad County is about yellow cake — not the confectioner's treat — the radioactive kind: uranium. And for some residents, the talk isn't sweet, especially, when it comes to water.

"We can't hardly use it. We've quit drinking our water," said concerned neighbor LuAnn Duderstadt.

Uranium Energy Corp. has dug more than 200 holes in its quest to find the radioactive ore, and those test-wells have neighbors jittery. The mining company says production could start as early as 2009.

"The more they drill, the cloudier our water gets," said Craig Duderstadt.

"And there's so much sand and mud in it right now that we really don't want to take a shower in it, but we're forced to, because we can't buy enough water to shower with," said LuAnn.

The Duderstadts had the water tested after the cattle stopped drinking the water left in the water trough. The couple noticed that their water had clouded up about a month ago. Then, a rancher down the street noticed his water was having some trouble.

What do the Duderstadts and the rancher share in common? Proximity to a new neighbor: Uranium Energy Corp.

"This industry is a very good industry, a very clean industry, and the people in this company are dedicated to doing it right," said Harry Anthony with Uranium Energy Corp.

But state investigators found that not all was right. In March, the Texas Railroad Commission cited the company dozens of violations for not following its permitting process. Wells that were supposed to be plugged a certain way were not, and that's when investigators could find the wells. Investigators looked for 117 wells, but only found six.

"We've gone back in and have located these holes for them and placed one-inch diameter PVC pipe so that they can come in and actually test for the surface plug," Anthony said.

The field of pipes shows the company is correcting the problem, and Goliad County officials are trying to correct the problem, too.

"There's always the possibility of water contamination, and without water, your property is useless," said Goliad County Commissioner Jim Kreneck.

Goliad County commissioners have come out against the project, and this week petitioned lawmakers in Austin for more power to fight off mining efforts.

"We need some local control to be able to go on site and do some inspections," said Kreneck.

The mining company says despite drilling through the aquifer to the uranium below it, there is no mixing with the drinking water. "These operations here, they are exploration operations, and we're not affecting any water tables at all," Anthony said.

Neighbors say it's not just the gunk in the water. They're also waiting tests on radioactivity.

"It appears that when they take off for Easter or some four or five day holiday, the water clears up somewhat. I don't have to change the filter near as often," said Craig.

The local groundwater agency is also swamped with requests for the tests. "Their primary interest is to maintain that quality of land and quality of lifestyle," said Art Dohmann, with the Goliad County Groundwater Conservation District.

The controversy is even spilling into the local school district, which is considering a student scholarship worth thousands offered by the Uranium Mining Corp.

The mining company says its scholarship would help form the future engineers and local workforce needed to mine the ore. Opponents believe the offer's too radioactive.

"We have wanted to educate our children because all of this land will be left to them. And 30 years when they come back, what are they gonna have?" said LuAnn.