Taylor this weekend will join dozens of other U.S. cities seeing the “No Kings” protests decrying immigration policies emphasized by the Trump administration.
Those gathered to take issue with raids from Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the Saturday assembly will be peaceful, unlike demonstrations in Los Angeles that turned violent and led President Donald Trump to activate the California National Guard.
According to various reports, more than 60 demonstrations are planned for Texas.
Demonstrations For Our Democracy — a local organization founded in April — will host the “No Kings” protest 10 a.m. to noon in downtown Taylor June 14.
“We are a few concerned citizens who organize monthly demonstrations in response to this administration’s disregard for our Constitution and due process,” said organizer Shiloh Brown. “We invite all concerned citizens to join us, regardless of party affiliation. We are committed to peaceful, nonviolent protests.”
The group will gather at North Main and West Second streets.
Brown, who is the police liaison for the event, said the group has a “great” relationship with both the city and the Taylor Police Department.
“We work closely with Taylor PD in particular and appreciate Chief (Henry) Fluck and team’s support and presence during these events,” Brown said.
Immigration has a presence locally. The T. Don Hutto Detention Center, 1001 Welch St., is an ICE-affiliated facility center and sparked protests several years ago.
In addition to the “No Kings” observance, Demonstrations For Our Democracy has voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s policy toward Ukraine in its war with Russia and the Department of Government Efficiency, which has trimmed many services under a mandate to eliminate waste and fraud.
Brown hopes Saturday’s demonstration will offer a united front.
“We want to join citizens here and across the country to show this administration that we reject authoritarianism,” she said. “No kings. No thrones. No crowns.”
Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott has “surged” more than 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and 2,000 Department of Public Safety troopers ahead of planned anti-ICE protests across Texas “to maintain law and order,” he said.
“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 said in a prepared release. “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.”
