AUSTIN, Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott said on Thursday he will deploy the Texas National Guard to Austin ahead of the “No Kings” protest on Saturday.
What You Need To Know
Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to deploy personnel and tactical assets to the capital city to “protect Texans and their property” and “maintain law and order”
This deployment will be in addition to the DPS troopers already stationed throughout the state
Austin’s “No Kings” protest gained national attention after President Donald Trump threatened a lawsuit against the City of Austin for potentially waiving the fee to hold the march
Hundreds of marches are planned on Oct. 18 across the country and around the world
Abbott also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to deploy personnel and tactical assets to the capital city to “protect Texans and their property” and “maintain law and order.”
“Violence and destruction will never be tolerated in Texas,” said Abbott in a news release. “Today, I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas National Guard to deploy all necessary law enforcement officials and resources to ensure the safety of Austin residents. Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property.”
This deployment will be in addition to the DPS troopers already stationed throughout the state.
In a statement to Spectrum News, DPS said there were no plans to close the Texas Capitol or the surrounding grounds.
“As a law enforcement agency, upholding the laws and freedoms of the people of this state is one of our top priorities. DPS believes strongly in Texans’ right to free speech and assembly while also following rules set in place to maintain a safe environment for demonstrators and the public,” the statement said. “As with any demonstration or event, it is never acceptable to interfere with official police duties, disobey lawful orders given by police officers or assault an officer of the law.”
Austin’s “No Kings” protest gained national attention after President Donald Trump threatened a lawsuit against the City of Austin for potentially waiving the fee to hold the march.
Similar marches are planned across the state, and Abbott said DPS will be monitoring “any other potential violent demonstrations.”
Abbott also claimed the “No Kings” movement was linked to antifa. EBSCO, a leading information services provider for libraries, defines antifa as “short for anti-facist” and “a decentralized political movement primarily active in the United States that opposes fascism and far-right ideologies.”
Trump declared antifa a domestic terrorist organization last month.
According to the “No Kings” description, the protest’s core principle is “nonviolence” and asked that all participants “de-escalate conlict and bring no weapons of any kind (even if legally permitted).”
Hundreds of marches are planned on Oct. 18 across the country and around the world. This is the second worldwide day of action under the “No Kings” moniker. In June, millions of Americans joined in “No Kings” marches to protest the Trump administration.
“On October 18, millions of us are rising again to show the world: America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people,” the event’s website says.
For more information on the protests, head to nokings.org.