A convoy coming from multiple U.S. cities is reportedly traveling to Eagle Pass to show support for Texas in the state’s ongoing dispute at the border with the federal government.
Those taking part in the “Take Our Border Back Convoy” have traveled from states across the country, including New Jersey, Missouri, and Georgia, according to News Nation.
The group of protesters has reportedly labeled themselves as “God’s Army” and has said that they are planning to stand up to the “globalists” who they claim are plotting to keep the borders open, Vice reported.
The “Take Our Border Back” website states that the organization is “[c]alling all active & retired law enforcement and military, Veterans, Mama Bears, elected officials, business owners, ranchers, truckers, bikers, media and LAW ABIDING, freedom-loving Americans” to take part in the convoy and protests.
Leaders from the convoy have stated that they will be hosting rallies on Friday and Saturday in Eagle Pass, Texas, and on Saturday only in Yuma, Arizona, and San Ysidro, California.
Although the protest is being promoted as a “peaceful prayer assembly,” the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) has expressed concerns that members of the convoy may become violent if they encounter unlawful migrants.
“We know that many of them are armed,” explained LULAC National President Domingo Garcia to CBS News. “And many of them have extremist views, especially in terms of the fear-mongering and scapegoating of immigrants and Hispanics.”
U.S. Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) pushed back on these concerns, saying it is “ridiculous hyperbole” to expect the convoy to act violently.
“That is (a) projection onto conservatives by the progressive left. We saw BLM and ANTIFA burning cities several summers ago. That’s projection onto us,” claimed Self, per CBS News.
The convoy is meant to be a show of support for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as he continues to fight for the state’s right to defend itself from the influx of unlawful migrants at the southern border.
Texas has seized control of Shelby Park in Eagle Pass, claiming the federal government is perpetuating unlawful crossings, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
A cease-and-desist letter was sent from Department of Homeland Security general counsel Jonathan Meyer to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton following the seizure, which prompted the attorney general to send a letter back with a list of counter-demands.
Paxton wrote in his letter that he has enacted a February 15 deadline to receive the requested items, though it is currently unclear whether the federal government will choose to acquiesce to the demands.
