"Exercise caution, be mindful": Dallas Latino leaders advocate for peaceful demonstrations
In the heart of the United States, Dallas, Texas, has been gearing up for another round of protests calls the "No Kings" movement. This series of demonstrations, set to take place this weekend, is in response to policies under the current administration and recent immigration raids.
Community leaders, including Latino elected officials and civic organization pros, such as Diana Flores, Dallas College board member, are encouraging attendees to stay calm and peaceful throughout the protests. The memory of the chaos in Los Angeles remains fresh, and they don't want a similar scenario playing out in their city.
President Donald Trump has made it clear he is not one to back down. He has already sent the National Guard and Marines to LA, and he hinted at deploying more resources to other cities. Tensions are running high, but Flores believes people ought to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of assembly.
She urged participants to avoid let counter-protesters or agitators provoke acts of violence, advising them to walk away and stick to their peaceful protests. "We need to keep our city safe," she added.
Dallas City Council member Jaime Resendez echoed the same sentiment. He reminded the public that violent acts and destruction would only distract from the crucial issues at hand. "Peaceful protest is powerful," he said.
In preparation for the protest, Governor Greg Abbott has deployed over 5,000 National Guard members and 2,000 Department of Public Safety troopers to support local law enforcement. Abbott warned that Texas will not tolerate any lawlessness, and those causing trouble will be arrested.
A protest in Dallas just a few days ago was mostly peaceful but was met with brief clashes with police, who had to use pepper balls to control the crowd. One person was arrested, and the protests ended without further incidents.
Juan Hernandez Jr., president of the National Latino Law Enforcement Organization, hopes for a successful, peaceful protest in Dallas. "If we can work together, we can make this a mark in history," Hernandez said, "and maybe make Dallas one of the first cities in the U.S. to hold a successful and peaceful protest."
Only time will tell what this weekend's protests will bring. Until then, community leaders and law enforcement are working together to ensure the safety of the protesters and the citizens of Dallas.
Priscilla Rice is KERA's communities reporter and can be reached at [email protected] for any tips. If you find this reporting valuable, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to support KERA News.
- Priscilla Rice, KERA's communities reporter, is urging the public to stay informed about the "No Kings" movement protests in Dallas, emphasizing the importance of public safety and maintaining peaceful demonstrations, as community leaders and law enforcement collaborate to ensure both protesters and citizens are kept safe.
- Leaders in Dallas, including Diana Flores and Jaime Resendez, are imploring protesters to avoid any violent acts, recalling the chaos in LA, and stressing that preserving public safety and focusing on crucial issues should be the priority during the "No Kings" movement protests, with over 5,000 National Guard members and 2,000 Department of Public Safety troopers deployed to support local law enforcement.
