Texas Gov. Abbott sends 5,000 soldiers across state ahead of 'No Kings' protests
The Brief
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed over 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and 2,000 DPS troopers statewide ahead of planned anti-ICE and "No Kings" protests this weekend.
Abbott stated the deployment is to "ensure peace & order," warning that any violence or property damage will lead to swift arrests.
The "No Kings" protests, organized by the 50501 Movement, are a nationwide effort to reject authoritarianism and militarization, with organizers anticipating millions of participants across all 50 states.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott surged National Guard soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to cities across the state on Thursday ahead of planned protests this weekend.
Several cities in Texas and across the country have held anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement rallies in recent days.
Dallas ICE protests: 1 arrested during demonstration
Anti-ICE protest in Houston; rally remains peaceful with hundreds of demonstrators
Austin ICE protests: Multiple people arrested; police give update
Anti-ICE protest takes place in downtown San Antonio
On Saturday, more protests are expected.
By the numbers
The governor says he deployed over 2,000 Texas DPS troopers and over 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers to help assist local law enforcement respond to protests and to "maintain law and order."
What they're saying
"Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law. Don't mess with Texas — and don't mess with Texas law enforcement," said Gov. Abbott in a statement.
Abbott also discussed the decision with FOX News on Thursday.
"It does not do any good to have the National Guard not deployed and have a city catch on fire, have crime break out and take a day or two to get them there," Gov. Abbott told FOX News' Will Cain. "because the size of the crowds could grow large, because things could get out of control, we want to make sure to have assets in place to quickly respond.
Big picture view
Texas and its leaders do not want a carbon-copy of the recent unrest in Southern California, over the White House's crackdown on immigration enforcement.
This week, President Trump sent troops to anti-ICE protests in LA.
"Now that the president has set a precedent of using the national guard to deal with these protests, I think you're going to see more Republican governors follow that lead, both to be seen as being in sync with the president. But also, in case violence does break out, that spills over, there's no Monday morning quarterbacking of, why didn't you have the National Guard there," said Rice University political scientist Mark Jones.
Jones says some of this is political posturing, but he thinks it also sends a message to protest organizers.
"I think, signaling to groups in Houston and San Antonio and Austin and elsewhere that they need to be cautious about what they do. And if they protest peacefully, there won't be any issues. But if they begin to engage in violence and vandalism, there will be a serious reaction by a combination of local law enforcement, the National Guard and DPS," he said.
The backstory
The "No Kings" theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics and the militarization of the country's democracy, according to a press release from No Kings.
The No Kings Day of Defiance is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since Trump returned to office, organizers said. Organizers said they are preparing for millions of people to take to the streets across all 50 states and commonwealths.
Earlier protests organized by 50501 have rallied against Trump and his former billionaire adviser Elon Musk, who led Trump's Department of Government Efficiency to cut federal spending.
Local perspective
Several protests are scheduled across Texas. Read more here:
'No Kings' protests planned in Dallas-Fort Worth; When, where, what you need to know
'No Kings' protests planned in Austin; When, where, what you need to know
'No Kings' protests planned in Houston; when, where, what you need to know
The Source
Information in this article comes from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the 50501 Movement and past FOX coverage.
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