NORTH TEXAS – Despite afternoon rain, thousands took to the streets of North Texas for protests against the Trump administration on Saturday.
People brought signs and marched at the “No Kings” protests.
North Texas ‘No Kings’ protests
Across the country, large crowds gathered in over 2,500 cities in protest against President Donald Trump.
It was no different here in the Metroplex, as thousands took to the streets for the “No Kings” protests.
North Texas ‘No Kings’ protests
Gathering together to speak on healthcare, immigration, LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, and against Trump. Protestors marched together, saying that for them, it proves they’re not alone.
What they’re saying:
“There are a lot of people from all walks of life, every religion, every age, every ability, every political or non-political affiliation that are as concerned as I am,” said Frisco protest organizer Cammy Dunford.
Those who marched Saturday say their message isn’t just for the ears of the president.
“To my elected officials: Our rights are worth fighting for. Our health care is worth fighting for. The soul of this country is worth fighting for. If you need proof, just look around,” said pastor Eric Folkerth at the Dallas protest.
Speakers said this is just one of many battles in search of what they call an America worth fighting for.
“Our charge is to do the work that moves this country closer to her fullest promise,” one Denton speaker said. “Not just for ourselves, but for those who will come after us. So where do I find my hope today? I find it in my children. I find it in each of you.”
“We can declare all power to the people. We can declare we’re gonna be alright. So friends, let’s keep marching together, let’s keep resisting together, let’s keep standing together,” said pastor Michael Wall.
“Let this rain wash away the filth that is oppressing all of us!” said Justin Chen with the AFGE local union.
“This rain ain’t nothing. Y’all are the storm. Y’all are the storm,” said Noemi Rios with Vecinos Unidos.
Gov. Abbott deploys National Guard
Governor Greg Abbott directed the Department of Public Safety and National Guard into Austin ahead of what he’s deemed antifa-linked protests.
He warned that anyone caught destroying property or committing acts of violence would be arrested.
Protesters said Saturday the expectation of non-peaceful practices is absurd.
“This is fundamentally a peaceful exercise of our constitutionally guaranteed first amendment right to free speech and to petition the government,” Dunford said. “I’ve been working with our Frisco Police Department since September. We have a safety team here, and we do not expect any of our people to incite violence.”
Throughout the protests, organizers wanted to make it very clear that they were here to exercise their first amendment rights peacefully.
‘No Kings Day’ and government shutdown
Dig deeper:
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Oct. 10 that the ongoing government shutdown was tied to Saturday’s “No Kings Day of Action.”
The No Kings group issued the following response.
“Speaker Johnson is running out of excuses for keeping the government shut down. Instead of reopening the government, preserving affordable healthcare, or lowering costs for working families, he’s attacking millions of Americans who are peacefully coming together to say that America belongs to its people, not to kings.
“We’ll see everyone on October 18.”
What are the ‘No Kings’ protests about?
Big picture view:
The protests are organized by Indivisible, a nonprofit coalition of political action groups, according to its website.
The term “No Kings” was coined by the 50501 Movement, a national movement made up of people who stand for democracy and against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. The name 50501 stands for 50 states, 50 protests, one movement.
The No Kings Day of Defiance has been organized to reject authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of the country’s democracy, according to a statement by organizers.
The first No Kings Day protests occurred on June 14 and were in response to the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary military parade in Washington, D.C., which coincided with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
The Source: Information in this report comes from NoKings.org.
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