Texas on Edge Abbott Calls in National Guard Ahead of Protests

Texas Governor Greg Abbott Activates National Guard Amidst Planned Protests

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the deployment of the National Guard to various locations throughout the state in response to planned protests, including one scheduled in San Antonio. The move aims to maintain peace and order amid growing tensions surrounding immigration policies and recent ICE activity.

In a statement posted on X, Governor Abbott emphasized the distinction between peaceful assembly and unlawful actions. "Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest. @TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order," he wrote.

The decision comes in the wake of heightened unrest across the nation. A curfew was recently imposed in Los Angeles following days of demonstrations triggered by ICE raids. Solidarity protests have also sprung up in various cities, including those within Texas.

San Antonio experienced a peaceful demonstration downtown on Sunday, as reported by Spectrum News 1. This demonstration was spurred by the recent ICE arrests of immigrants attending scheduled appearances at the San Antonio Immigration Court.

The city is bracing for further demonstrations, with Mayor Ron Nirenberg and local police scheduled to hold a news conference to outline the city's preparedness and strategy for managing the protests.

One of the significant planned events is a "No Kings Day" protest, slated for Saturday, coinciding with former President Trump’s birthday. This demonstration, organized by a coalition of groups, including:

• The 50501 Movement
• The Bexar County Democratic Party
• The Party for Socialism and Liberation
• Indivisible
• Women’s March

...aims to express opposition to the previous administration's policies. Similar "No Kings Day" protests are anticipated across the country.

The deployment of the National Guard underscores the gravity of the situation and the state's commitment to ensuring public safety while upholding the right to peaceful assembly. The coming days will be critical in observing how these measures impact the unfolding events and the broader dialogue surrounding immigration and related policies.

As Texas navigates this period of heightened social and political expression, it's a reminder of the delicate balance between the rights of assembly and the responsibility to maintain order and protect the safety of all citizens. The actions taken by Governor Abbott and local authorities will be closely scrutinized as they attempt to uphold these fundamental principles.

Tags: Texas, Greg Abbott, National Guard, San Antonio, Protest, ICE, Immigration, Curfew, Los Angeles, Demonstrations

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-gov-deploy-national-guard-state-due-protests-rcna212275