A ‘No Kings’ protest is taking place in Austin on Saturday as a part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against what organizers describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy. The Austin rally — expected to draw tens of thousands — will begin at 2 p.m. at the Texas Capitol before a march to Auditorium Shores for speeches, music and coalition tabling.
Ahead of the massive ‘No Kings’ protest in Austin, Governor Greg Abbott activated the state’s National Guard in Austin, condemning aggressive immigration enforcement, according to the Texas Tribune.
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Texas National Guard activated?Abbott, in a press release, said he’s directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to activate the Texas National Guard because of a “planned antifa-linked demonstration.”
“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,” Abbott said. “Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property.”
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Austin Mayor Kirk Watson clarified in a statement later on Thursday that the National Guard would not be on the streets of Austin unless there was “emergency need.” Watson’s and Abbott’s office did not respond to immediate questions on whether the National Guard would still be stationed near the protest before an emergency occurred.ALSO READ: ‘No Kings’ dress code revealed: Massive ‘anti-Trump’ demonstrations hit 2,500 US locations- See if your city is on the map Watson also condemned violent protests and expressed support for peaceful gatherings. “Let me be clear: I don’t condone the militarization of our streets,” he said. “I also don’t condone unpeaceful acts that threaten people’s health or safety, do damage to property, and disrupt the right of those who want to peacefully protest.”
The governor’s move comes after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also claimed earlier this week that the protests are associated with antifascism, which Trump has designated as a terrorist organization last month, according to The Hill.
What is ‘No Kings’ protest?A left-led protest that gained attention in June has come back again and millions are supposed to take to the streets today protesting against Donald Trump administration. The “‘NO KINGS’ is more than just a slogan; it is the foundation our nation was built upon,” a website for the protests, nokings.org, says.
“Born in the streets, shouted by millions, carried on posters and chants, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together.” For today’s protest, there are several anchor cities: Washington DC; San Francisco; San Diego; Atlanta; New York City; Houston, Texas; Honolulu; Boston; Kansas City, Missouri; Bozeman, Montana; Chicago and New Orleans.
The “No Kings” protests is being held across the country at more than 2,500 locations to speak out against the Trump administration’s mass deportation push, and the president “threatening to overtake elections; gutting health care, environmental protections, and education” according to the organizers’ website.
Similar protests took place across the state in June — from McAllen to Midland — and were largely peaceful. Abbott also deployed 5,000 National Guard members to those protests to “ensure peace & order.”
Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles during No Kings protests there in June, without the consent of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. A federal judge later ruled that the president overstepped his authority by using federal military forces for domestic matters.