Gov. Abbott orders National Guard to Austin ahead of "antifa-linked" protest

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Abbott is an asshole who is kissing up to trump

Link to tweet

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/texas-gov-greg-abbott-national-guard-austin-antifa-linked-protest/

National Guard troops will be sent to Austin ahead of a "planned antifa-linked demonstration" this weekend, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday.

Aboot said he instructed the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas National Guard to deploy personnel and "tactical assets" to the state's capital. DPS law enforcement personnel, including state troopers, Special Agents, and Texas Rangers, along with Texas National Guard soldiers, will be sent to the Austin area "to maintain law and order," Abbott's news release states.

"Violence and destruction will never be tolerated in Texas," Abbott said in a statement. "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. Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property."

Texas DPS' Homeland Security Division is monitoring the planned protest in Austin, as well as any other potential violent demonstrations across the state, the news release states. It also said that DPS will investigate any links to known terrorist organizations and charge anyone who engages in unlawful activity.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. Statement from Austin Mayor Kirk Watson

Link to tweet

I have confirmed that the National Guard will be prepared to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety and otherwise take actions on Saturday, if deemed necessary. We are told that the Guard will not be on the streets of Austin unless there is a determination that there is an emergency need.

The City of Austin and I will continue to protect the right of people to peacefully assemble. I support people exercising their right to engage in peaceful protest against politics and policies that they disagree with. Power should always stay with the people—where it belongs. I share the belief in our democracy. I am committed—now more than ever—to stand against efforts to devalue and dismantle our democracy.

Peacefully holding people accountable is part of that. While Austin will protect that right, destructive actions or efforts that hurt people, including police, is wrong. You are damaging your city, and you may be giving those you protest against what they want--an excuse to militarize our streets. Let me be clear: I don’t condone the militarization of our streets. 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.

Much of what we see out of Washington is to create fear and chaos. Unfortunately, our state engages in this, too. We should not play into these politics.

We must continue to assert our first amendment rights to peacefully assemble and to hold elected officials accountable. As mayor, I’m committed to doing this and ensuring that Austinites have a safe, healthy community where they can thrive.

[walkingman]

2. I hope Texas voters remember this next year when Abbott is up for re-election for his 4th term.

However, I have no faith that he will defeated - the majority of Texas voters seem to like living in this shithole.

[joshdawg]

3. Yep.

Anyone running for public office in Texas who has an "R" next to their name will likely win that office.
Just people voting against their best interests.
republicans don't care about people, they are only interested in
gaining power and keeping it.
abbott, patrick, and paxton are prime examples.

[SARose]

4. Sent him a message yesterday

Hi Governor it’s me again!

I see you ordered the Texas National Guard to Austin this weekend because you think Antifa will be there?

If you are against Antifa - doesn’t this make you a fascist? Double negative there.

Miriam Webster defines fascism as

a populist political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual, that is associated with a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, and that is characterized by severe economic and social regimentation and by forcible suppression of opposition.

Hmm…

Light and love

Rose

😬🤣😂

[SARose]

5. Austin mayor responds to Greg Abbott's troop deployment to Austin for No Kings protest

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson is pushing back on Gov. Greg Abbott's deployment of the Texas National Guard and state troops to the city in what he calls a move of militarization—confirming troops will not be in the streets unless needed.

Watson said that the troops would be "ready to assist" in managing the planned No Kings protest over the weekend. However, he noted that the Texas National Guard will only take action if "there is a determination that there is an emergency need."

Snip

“Much of what we see out of Washington is to create fear and chaos. Unfortunately, our state engages in this, too," Watson wrote. "We should not play into these politics."

Snip

More

Ooohhh I heard that bitch slap all the way from Austin.

This is how ya do it!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. Kirk is a good guy

[Vogon_Glory]

7. I wonder how many right-wing agents-provocateurs have

been put into place to cause trouble, giving Abbot excuses. To use tear gas, crack heads and shoot people.