A “No Kings” protest is being organized for Saturday evening in downtown San Antonio.
SAN ANTONIO — After several days of protesting in Los Angeles and other demonstrations in San Antonio responding to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, another local protest is being organized for the Alamo City.
An attempt to stand with the protesters in L.A., “No Kings San Antonio” is one event connected to a “national day of action” in response to Trump’s recent actions and controversial ICE operations–including the detainments of migrants outside immigration courts in some cities.
The event’s national website says Saturday is expected to be “the largest single-day mobilization since President Trump returned to office.”
“On June 14th, we’re showing up everywhere he isn’t—to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings,” the website says.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, in an indirect response that nonetheless references the LA demonstrations and Saturday’s planned rally in San Antonio, is urging people to be safe if they decide to participate.
“The world is transfixed on the events unfolding in L.A., and groups are planning protests in other major cities, including San Antonio,” Salazar said in a statement posted by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office on social media. “We enjoy many rights in our country, and some of the most basic of those rights are freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. The men and women of the BCSO stand ready to support and defend those rights for Bexar County residents, and we urge everyone to exercise their rights, but please do so safely and responsibly.”
He also urges those who plan to make their voices heard to be respectful of the rights and property of others. About 50 other “No Kings” events appear to have been organized in communities across Texas on Saturday.
“Organizers and participants should understand that agitators and individuals seeking to create chaos may blend in among peaceful protestors,” Salazar’s statement continues. “This is unfortunate, as it not only dilutes the intended message but may seem to prove the point of those with opposing views. Even the best of intentions can result in unintended consequences. Please protest responsibly.”
That message represents the sheriff working to strike a balance between his duties as the county’s top law enforcement official and his sentiments as a Democrat who last summer blasted then-candidate Donald Trump as a “self-serving man” on a national stage.
Here in San Antonio, immigration attorneys have said their clients are newly hesitant to attend their scheduled court hearings. Just up the road in the state capital, Texans rallied in solidarity with the anti-ICE protests unfolding in California, resulting in some confrontations with Austin police.
On Tuesday morning, a Bolivian woman and her children were taken into custody in San Antonio. Her Cuban husband told reporters his wife and two children were taken. He also said the youngest, who is over a year old, is American.
The family had a preliminary court date set for next year, but it was moved without warning to Tuesday. After the hearing, ICE agents appeared holding a photo of the man’s wife before she was detained.