Meet Crystal Moran | Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Moran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
Our Native lead group was founded at the wake of the huge opposition against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) on the Standing Rock Reservation. We were people of all ages who felt responsible to protect our land, our air, our water, our planet. We came together to stand in solidarity with the Natives being attacked by oil and gas companies with the intention of traveling there to help in person. But then, we very quickly learned of a huge pipeline being built very quietly in our very own backyard- The Comanche Trail Pipeline. This pipeline was being built by the very same company building DAPL, Energy Transfer Partners. However, we didn’t have much time to fight, because they were almost done with the 3 foot in diameter, 200 plus miles long pipeline. They were on the last leg, and it was in our community. All they had to do was dig under 16 canals, which they made collapse, and dig underneath our Rio Grande to connect to a pipeline in Cuidad, Juarez, Mexico called the Tarahumara Pipeline. To witness Mother Earth being raped by a toxic, poisonous Black Snake (pipeline) was devastating. During the time, we were successful in getting a Supreme Court judge to implement an injunction where they were legally prohibited from working, but they kept on digging anyway. We protested, rallied, called out local and state leaders were help and protection, in which they did not provide. We danced, we prayed, we sang, we locked up to their machinery to prevent them from working, but still, they got the pipeline built.
We fought hard because of the love in our hearts for our community, and Mother (Earth), and we still fight hard today against pollution and oil and gas companies through different avenues, such as joining other movements in other areas in solidarity, such as the Stop Line 3 movement for example. We also provide mutual aid when there is need, and funds are available, and plan to continue these efforts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Probably take you on a short hiking trip in our beloved Franklin Mountains. Take you to Hueco Tanks and teach how that land is sacred to our indigenous community and other indigenous communities. Show you the view of El Paso from Scenic Drive, and tell you about the issues along our border, but also describe how gorgeous our culture is on the frontera. Take you around and show you amazing murals by local artists. Take you to Viejo Coffee and/or Cafe Cafetzin for some delicious coffee, then for some food either to Sabertooth, Lick It Up, Elemi, Taconeta or maybe all of them! 🙂

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, we want to shout out our Native community- Kalpulli Tlalteca People of the Earth Community in El Paso, for helping and supporting us along the way; in our direct actions, our Earth Day celebration, and more. You are deeply appreciated and loved.

Instagram: @fronterawaterprotectors