Saguaros and the Steely Monolith

It’s a view you can instantly fall in love wit–those saguaros, or giant cactus, sharing what seems like a warm hug. Once you recognize the steely monolith on the right, however, those human characteristics become more complicated. Perhaps the embrace now seems tinged with dread or fear.

This photo was taken by Laiken Jordahl, serving witness in collaboration with the Center for Biological Diversity. The saguaros are located in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a U.S. and UNESCO biosphere reserve on sacred indigenous ground in southern Arizona.

Sadly, a long swath of these plants are being wiped out by Homeland Security to make way for the Trump administration’s border wall.

And here is the “after” view:

– Michael Shaw

Repost @centerforbiodiv. Photos: Laiken Jordahl (@LaikenJordahl on Twitter).

Caption: Laiken Jordahl, borderlands campaigner for the Center, photographed these two beautiful, ancient saguaros in an embrace two days ago. They were gone the next day — torn apart and plowed over for Trump’s #BorderWall. Related tweets: https://buff.ly/2PuhTaN, https://buff.ly/2T1BuRJ, https://buff.ly/2PuhN2V, https://buff.ly/2Pu1hzV, https://buff.ly/2T4PcUe #nature #nature #Arizona #immigration #biodiversity #cactus #activism #organpipenationalmonument #nativeland

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