Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday his decision to deploy the National Guard to various locations across the state. This move is aimed at ensuring "peace and order" ahead of a planned protest in San Antonio. In a statement posted on X late Tuesday evening, Abbott emphasized the importance of lawful protest, stating, “Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest.” He assured the public that the Texas National Guard would utilize every available tool and strategy to assist local law enforcement in maintaining order during the upcoming demonstrations.
In a related development, a curfew was enacted in Los Angeles on Tuesday night after several days of unrest triggered by recent ICE raids. These raids have sparked solidarity protests across the nation, including notable gatherings in Texas. According to Spectrum News 1, a peaceful demonstration took place in downtown San Antonio on Sunday, prompted by the arrests of immigrants who had attended their scheduled appearances at the San Antonio Immigration Court. With more protests anticipated on Wednesday, the city is preparing for potential challenges.
To address the ongoing situation, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and local police officials are scheduled to hold a news conference today to outline the city’s strategy for managing the protests. Among the planned events, a “No Kings Day” protest is set for Saturday, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s birthday. This event aims to criticize the Trump administration’s immigration policies and will be organized by several groups, including the 50501 Movement, the Bexar County Democratic Party, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, among others. Similar “No Kings Day” protests are also being organized across the country.
In Austin, around 500 individuals gathered in front of the state Capitol on Monday evening to voice their opposition to Trump’s immigration policies, showing solidarity with protesters in Los Angeles. During this incident, local and state authorities resorted to using pepper spray and flash-bang grenades, resulting in over a dozen arrests, as reported by Governor Abbott.
The recent ICE raids in Los Angeles have intensified tensions, particularly after President Trump federalized the National Guard in the state, a decision made against the wishes of Governor Gavin Newsom. This federal intervention has led to a clash between the two leaders, with Newsom asserting that Trump's actions have exacerbated tensions between protesters and law enforcement. In response to this deployment, California’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of Trump’s National Guard actions, claiming they exceed his authority.
In a statement from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump addressed the ICE raids and the federal government’s response to protests, stating, “This is the first, perhaps of many.” He suggested that the federal response was not as forceful as it could have been, warning that if protests escalate, they would be met with equal or greater force. “We did a great job,” Trump claimed, asserting that they had effectively “stopped a disaster,” while labeling protesters as “very dangerous people” who ultimately “folded” under pressure.
