Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken action by deploying National Guard troops throughout the state in anticipation of further protests against ICE. In a statement posted on social media, Abbott highlighted that while peaceful protests are a lawful expression, any acts of violence or property damage would result in arrests. His press secretary indicated that the troops would be stationed in areas where large gatherings are expected, conveying a strong message that Texas will not tolerate disruptions and will ensure public safety.
Assistant Chief Jesse Salame of the San Antonio Police Department confirmed the presence of National Guard troops in the city, although he mentioned that no further details regarding their specific deployments were available. The backdrop of these deployments includes recent mass protests in Texas cities, sparked by violent incidents during demonstrations in Los Angeles against federal immigration actions.
In Austin, tensions escalated during a protest that saw hundreds of demonstrators moving between major sites. Police reported that four officers sustained injuries when protesters engaged in violent behavior, prompting the use of crowd control measures like pepper spray and tear gas. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis affirmed support for peaceful demonstrations but warned against violence, stating that unlawful actions would lead to arrests, which included eight arrests by Austin police and five by state authorities.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, large crowds gathered for protests that occasionally turned tense, with instances of protesters throwing objects at police. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries to officers during these events, although one individual was arrested for assaulting a police officer. Protests are expected to continue in Dallas and Austin, indicating a sustained wave of activism surrounding immigration policy issues.
1 Comments
Bermudez
Protests are important, but when they turn violent, it becomes a liability. Good on Abbott for taking action!