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After declaring a state of disaster in response to damages caused during recent Texas protests, Governor Greg Abbott deployed thousands of additional state troopers and National Guard members to several cities on Sunday afternoon, his office announced.
A statement shared to the governor's website outlined his office's plan to delegate "substantial statewide resources" toward efforts to reduce violence and destruction of property amid ongoing demonstrations--which have taken place in major Texas cities as well as others across the United States in the aftermath of George Floyd's police-involved death in Minneapolis.
"Texans' First Amendment rights are absolute and will always be protected," Abbot said in the statement. "But violence, vandalism, and looting will not be tolerated in this state and those found in violation of the law will be arrested and prosecuted."
Protesters have gathered in dozens of U.S. states over the last six days, after video footage that showed former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes minutes leading up to his death was first released on Monday. The video sparked immediate outrage among Minneapolis residents, who began protesting early last week.
Demonstrations have amplified since, with fires, looting and other forms of property damage resulting from rallies that escalated over the weekend. The events prompted authorities in California, Michigan, Florida, Minnesota and other states to impose curfews to reduce demonstrators' ability to gather--while numerous instances of law enforcement used force to disperse crowds have been reported.
As protests intensified in Dallas on Saturday, police used tear gas and stun grenades to disarm those who participated, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Abbott issued a declaration of disaster in Texas on Sunday, citing "imminent threat" to public safety and announcing the state's National Guard and Department of Public Safety officers had been activated and deployed to Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.
"Declaring a state of disaster will facilitate and expedite the use and deployment of resources to enhance preparedness and response to the ongoing threats,
including by ensuring that federal law enforcement officers can fully assist with the
efforts," the declaration read. It noted involvement of "tactical teams" from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist local and state law enforcement, and also acknowledged citizens' right to protest through nonviolent means.
"Peaceful protestors, many of whom are responding to the senseless taking of life by the reprehensible actions of a few, should themselves be protected from harm," Abbott's order continued.
As of this morning, approximately 5,000 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were activated in response to civil disturbances in 15 states and D.C., with another 2,000 prepared to activate if needed. The situation is fluid so those numbers can change rapidly. (1/4)
— National Guard (@USNationalGuard) May 31, 2020
As of Sunday morning, roughly 5,000 members of the U.S. National Guard were directed to assist public safety in 15 states and Washington, D.C., the organization announced in a statement. It said an additional 2,000 were prepared for deployment if necessary.
"The situation is fluid so those numbers can change rapidly," its statement said.
Newsweek reached out to Abbott's office for further comment on the state's response to recent protests, but did not receive a reply in time for publication.
