Houston Democrat sponsoring Saturday ‘No Kings' Capitol protest
A sponsor is 'required for approval of all events' held at the Texas State Capitol grounds and can include the governor, lieutenant governor or state lawmaker, according to the Texas Capitol Events Sponsorship Form. The form notes it will be considered 'incomplete' if it isn't signed by an official sponsor.
'For three decades, Texans have watched Republicans like Greg Abbott and Donald Trump sell out working families while stripping away our freedoms and driving up costs. I'm sponsoring the 'No Kings' protest at our Capitol to give every Texan a chance to make their voices heard when they've been systematically ignored by those in power,' Wu said in a statement when asked about his involvement.
'The group organizing Saturday's protest has a well-established record of peaceful advocacy and responsible civic engagement, and the event was approved by the State Preservation Board (of which Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov Patrick both are members) with the expectation of a safe, respectful gathering,' he added.
Hands Off Central TX, one of the organizers of Saturday's event at the Capitol, said its relationship with Wu began in February when he attended a protest 'to show solidarity with the people.'
'Since then, he's sponsored the majority of permits for our events, and has continued to show the same commitment to the foundational principles of democracy,' said Hands Off Central TX Vice President Melody Tremallo in a statement
Texas National Guard on standby for 'No Kings' protests in Austin, San Antonio
On Thursday, Gov. Abbott released new details related to his decision to bring in reinforcements to undisclosed locations. The mayors of Austin and San Antonio said they were informed that Texas National Guard soldiers will be on standby in their cities. More than 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and more than 2,000 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will be 'strategically positioned' to bolster local law enforcement in response to planned protests advertised across the state, fueled by recent immigration enforcement actions, the governor said.
Tremallo called that a 'gross overreaction' to Texans exercising their First Amendment right to protest. She said Saturday's carnival-themed event at the Capitol, also called 'Kick Out The Clowns,' was planned weeks ago and will include 'audacious activities such as face painting, juggling … drag performers, the chicken dance and circus acts.'
'We strongly condemn [Abbott's] attempt to intimidate and suppress … constitutional rights,' she added.
KXAN previously found at least 63 Texas locations listed online where anti-Trump demonstrations are advertised to take place on June 14.
'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,' Abbott said in a statement. '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.'
Democratic Congressman Greg Casar is one of Saturday's scheduled speakers at the Capitol. He said that the protests are meant to highlight concerns over mass deportations.
'No Kings' protest organizer calls TX National Guard an overreaction
'These are concerning things that people should be allowed to bring up without the governor trying to crush that message and intimidate people by sending in the National Guard,' Casar said.
The event's sponsor, Wu, previously served as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney's Office before being elected in 2012 and is currently an attorney in private practice, according to his official biography. He is the vice chair of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.
'I categorically condemn any escalation into violence and vehemently support the right of Texans to exercise their First Amendment without intimidation or fear from the Governor or the President,' Wu said. 'In America and in Texas, we have no kings – and we will not be bullied into surrendering our constitutional rights.'
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