The protests against federal immigration enforcement are scheduled in cities across Texas and the country on Saturday.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is deploying the Texas National Guard and state troopers to Austin ahead of a planned “No Kings” protest Saturday.
The governor in a post on X described the protest as “Antifa-linked.” He didn’t say how Antifa is connected to the scheduled protest.
Antifa is a far-left extremist group that originated under the Soviet Union and functioned as the violent wing of Germany’s Communist Party to target political rivals. The group generally labeled its perceived enemies as “fascists.” Antifa’s mission is to stop people it deems to be fascists by “any means necessary,” including violence, its leaders say.
Abbott’s action follows President Donald Trump’s designation of Antifa as a domestic terrorist group on Sept. 22. Trump also signed a presidential memorandum on Sept. 25 with the aim of dismantling what he said are left-wing terrorism networks in the United States. The presidential actions were taken after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at an event at a university in Utah on Sept. 10.
“No Kings” protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of illegal immigrants are also planned for Saturday in Dallas, Houston, and other locations across Texas and the United States.
“Texas will not tolerate chaos,” Abbott wrote on X. “Anyone destroying property or committing acts of violence will be swiftly arrested.”
In a statement, Abbott said that the surge in troops will support the thousands of Texas Department of Public Safety troopers already stationed throughout the state.
However, the governor didn’t specify if guardsmen would be sent to other Texas cities involved in the protests, such as Houston, Dallas, and Lubbock.
The state’s Homeland Security Division is actively monitoring the planned protest in Austin, as well as any other potential violent demonstrations across the state, according to the statement.
“These law enforcement officers and soldiers will be supported by aircraft and other tactical assets,” Abbott’s release stated.
“DPS will investigate any links to known terrorist organizations and swiftly bring charges against those who engage in unlawful activity.”
