Big Crowds Expected At Protests Across Texas

On Saturday, June 14 millions of Americans will be participating in protests under the banner “No Kings.” This weekend’s protests were scheduled weeks ago to coincide with a massive military parade in Washington D.C. June 14 is the 250^th anniversary of the United States Army (and Trump’s birthday).

But this weekend’s protests have attracted renewed interest for many Texans in the wake of increased ICE arrests and immigration raids. Trump also sent in the National Guard to Los Angeles, where peaceful protesters had been rallying against immigration incursions. Then yesterday, California Senator Alex Padilla was tackled and handcuffed on the ground after attempting to ask a question at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

According to the No Kings website there are over sixty events throughout the state of Texas. A full map of the protests can be found here.

On Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott announced that he was deploying over 5,000 Texas National Guard members and 2,000 Texas DPS troopers (which includes the Texas Rangers) “to maintain law and order” as he put it. “Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump’s enforcement of immigration law,” said Abbott. 

This week Texas has already seen several protests against ICE and immigration raids. On Monday evening in Dallas, protesters at the Margaret Hill Hunt bridge were met with pepper spray and tear gas after the demonstration was deemed unlawful. One individual was arrested.

The American Civil Liberties Union offers a thorough overview of the rights of protesters. No Kings describes tomorrow’s protests as a “national day of defiance,” but they also note their core principle is a “commitment to nonviolent action.”

The Texas Signal will be on hand tomorrow covering the protest on our Instagram (thetexassignal) and TikTok (texas_signal).