AUSTIN, Texas () Texas Gov. Greg Abbott activated the state’s National Guard and state troopers on Thursday ahead of planned protests against immigration enforcement over the weekend, according to the governor’s office.
“Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump’s enforcement of immigration law,” Abbott’s office said in a news release. “Today, I deployed over 2,000 Texas DPS troopers and over 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers across the state to assist local law enforcement response to these protests and to maintain law and order. Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law. Don’t mess with Texas and don’t mess with Texas law enforcement.”
Abbott’s statement does not detail where the troops were sent.
Some troops were seen at a protest Wednesday night in San Antonio near the historic Alamo mission. More protests are planned for Saturday in cities such as Houston and Austin as part of the national “No Kings” demonstrations.
