In a proactive move, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Thursday that he will be dispatching personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard to Austin. This decision comes in anticipation of the ‘No Kings’ protest scheduled to take place at the State Capitol on Saturday afternoon.
Abbott described the protest as having connections to antifa, although he did not provide specific details. Efforts to obtain further information from the governor’s office have yet to yield a response. Updates will follow if additional information becomes available.
“Texas will not stand for violence and destruction,” Abbott stated. “I have instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to deploy all necessary law enforcement personnel and resources to ensure the security of Austin’s citizens. We aim to prevent any criminal behavior and will collaborate with local law enforcement to arrest individuals involved in violent acts or property damage.”
Meanwhile, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson clarified that the Texas National Guard will remain off the streets unless a genuine emergency arises.
“We hope that any additional law enforcement agencies deployed by the governor will enjoy our event, live music from local Austin artists, and the hard-working Americans who are joining together in solidarity, celebration and to discover more than 50 organizations working together to make Texas a better place to live,” said Sophia Mirto, one of the protest’s organizers, in a response to KXAN.
The governor said troopers, special agents, Texas Rangers and Texas National Guard soldiers would be “surged” to Austin. The governor’s office did not say how many personnel it planned to send.
“These law enforcement officers and soldiers will be supported by aircraft and other tactical assets,” a news release from Abbott’s team said. “DPS’ Homeland Security Division is actively monitoring the planned protest in Austin, as well as any other potential violent demonstrations across the state. DPS will investigate any links to known terrorist organizations and swiftly bring charges against those who engage in unlawful activity.”
KXAN asked Mirto if the protest was linked to antifa, and Mirto emphasized that “antifa is not a real organization.”
“It’s a word that some pundits use to discredit the hard working Americans that want to live in a democracy and are organizing, doing their civic duty, using their First Amendment rights,” Mirto said.
It’s not the first time this has happened. In June, Abbott ordered state resources to respond to the first “No Kings” day of action protest in Austin. That June protest and Saturday’s protest are being organized by the same national group. Following the June protest, the Austin Police Department said on social media that “with the exception of a small number of agitators, the event remained largely peaceful.”
“We are disappointed that the governor is choosing to spend Texans’ tax money on deploying additional resources to police a nonviolent, First Amendment event when there are so many Texans in need of housing, transportation, health care, quality education and there are still victims of the devastating July 4 flood right here in Central Texas that need the governor to sign an executive order providing aid,” Mirto said.
Texas House of Representatives Minority Leader Gene Wu said that “the Texas we love was built on freedom from tyranny, not submission to it.”
“Sending armed soldiers to suppress peaceful protests is what kings and dictators do and Greg Abbott just proved he’s one of them.” Wu said. “By inviting armed soldiers into our streets, the governor has sold out our sovereignty to a corrupt politician looking to distract you from the Epstein Files, rising prices at the grocery store, and more Texans than ever unable to realize the dream of homeownership.”
Saturday’s protest will start at the Texas Capitol at 2 p.m., where some leaders will speak about the movement. At 2:30 p.m., protesters are expected to march together to Auditorium Shores. From 3 to 5:30 p.m., protesters will meet with dozens of organizations to continue protesting.
Mirto said they expect 20,000 to 30,000 people on Saturday to show up to the protest.
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