Austin, October 17, 2025
News Summary
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety officers to Austin in anticipation of the No Kings protest scheduled for Saturday. The governor cites a claimed security risk linked to an antifa demonstration, although no evidence has been presented to support this. Organizers of the protest, which include various groups and unions, have historically held peaceful demonstrations. The governor’s deployment also aims to utilize tactical resources and monitor protests statewide as part of broader security measures.
Austin
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers to Austin in anticipation of the No Kings protest scheduled for Saturday. The governor cited a planned security risk, saying the deployment responds to a claimed demonstration link, but officials did not present public evidence tying the event to violent groups.
Immediate details
Abbott cited a “planned antifa-linked demonstration” as the rationale for the deployment but did not provide evidence supporting this claim. State security measures include both uniformed and tactical assets. Abbott’s deployment includes the use of “aircraft and other tactical assets” to support ground troops. The governor also instructed law enforcement to be prepared to use broad enforcement tools.
Abbott instructed the DPS and National Guard to utilize all necessary law enforcement resources for the event. In coordination with state forces, DPS’s Homeland Security division will monitor the Austin protest and others throughout Texas. No information has been provided about whether protests in cities like San Antonio are also included in these security measures.
Organizers, claims and criticisms
State officials accused the demonstration of potential violence, but the groups organizing the No Kings actions in Texas are identified differently. The actual organizers of the No Kings demonstrations include the groups 50501, Indivisible, and a coalition of labor unions, rather than antifa. Previous No Kings demonstrations in Texas were reported as peaceful, and several commentators and local officials have criticized the state assertions for lacking substantiation.
Abbott characterized the demonstration as potentially violent, even though prior No Kings protests in Texas were peaceful. The governor also pledged to examine any possible links to known terrorist organizations associated with protest activities. Abbott pledged to investigate any possible links to known terrorist organizations associated with protest activities.
Federal responses and proposals
A U.S. senator expressed agreement with the governor’s concerns and made unverified allegations about outside funding. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz echoed Abbott’s sentiments, claiming, without evidence, that George Soros is funding the No Kings protests and implied that they could escalate into riots. The senator has also advanced a legislative proposal to broaden federal legal tools available against organizers. Cruz has proposed legislation to enable the Department of Justice to use RICO charges against protest organizers.
State-level policy actions and local impacts
State transportation policy has become part of the enforcement and symbolic landscape around protests. The Texas Department of Transportation has given cities 30 days to remove any “political ideologies” from their streets, threatening funding cuts as enforcement. That directive has been applied to small-scale public markings and larger symbolic installations.
Abbott’s directive targets all symbolic markings, including San Antonio’s rainbow crosswalks installed in 2018. One Texas city has already acted in response, while another is seeking an exemption. Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority has already acted to remove its rainbow crosswalk in response to the governor’s directive. San Antonio officials, including Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, are working with TxDOT to understand compliance and potential impacts. Councilwoman Sukh Kaur stated that San Antonio intends to seek an exemption for the rainbow crosswalks, asserting they have not caused accidents and have improved safety in the area. The rainbow crosswalks were funded through a combination of city funds and private donations by Pride San Antonio.
Political context
State security choices and public messaging are occurring against a wider political backdrop. Governor Abbott has at least one Democrat challenger, Texas State Representative Gina Hinojosa, for the upcoming gubernatorial race. Observers note that the governor’s recent actions align with broader national Republican priorities. Abbott’s recent policies and actions are framed within a larger political context, indicating his alignment with Trump and the national GOP agenda.
Movement background and timing
The No Kings protests are part of a nationwide movement aiming to challenge Trump-era policies and actions. Organizers across states have planned events tied to that broader agenda. The upcoming protests also intersect with seasonal events that have prompted varied public reactions. The upcoming protests coincide with the Halloween season, prompting satirical suggestions about protesters using humorous costumes and inflatables.
FAQ
What forces has the governor deployed to Austin?
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has deployed National Guard troops and Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers to Austin in anticipation of the No Kings protest scheduled for Saturday.
What reason did Abbott give for the deployment?
Abbott cited a “planned antifa-linked demonstration” as the rationale for the deployment but did not provide evidence supporting this claim.
Who is organizing the No Kings demonstrations in Texas?
The actual organizers of the No Kings demonstrations include the groups 50501, Indivisible, and a coalition of labor unions, rather than antifa.
How has the state characterized the protest and prior events?
Abbott characterized the demonstration as potentially violent, even though prior No Kings protests in Texas were peaceful.
What monitoring will be in place for protests?
DPS’s Homeland Security division will monitor the Austin protest and others throughout Texas.
What directive did the Texas Department of Transportation issue?
The Texas Department of Transportation has given cities 30 days to remove any “political ideologies” from their streets, threatening funding cuts as enforcement.
What has happened with rainbow crosswalks in response?
Abbott’s directive targets all symbolic markings, including San Antonio’s rainbow crosswalks installed in 2018.
Has any city already removed a rainbow crosswalk?
Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority has already acted to remove its rainbow crosswalk in response to the governor’s directive.
Key features
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Security deployment | National Guard troops and DPS officers sent to Austin | State-level |
| Stated rationale | Planned antifa-linked demonstration (no evidence provided) | State-level |
| Organizers | 50501, Indivisible, and a coalition of labor unions | State-level |
| Monitoring | DPS’s Homeland Security division will monitor protests | State-level |
| Movement scope | No Kings protests are part of a nationwide movement | Nationwide |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled for Saturday | No Kings protest in Austin | Organizers announced; security deployment in place |
| Prior to Saturday | Deployment of National Guard and DPS officers to Austin | State announcement |
| Within 30 days | TxDOT deadline to remove “political ideologies” from streets | State directive to cities |
| 2018 | San Antonio rainbow crosswalks installed | City records and Pride San Antonio funding |
| Recent | Houston removed its rainbow crosswalk | Local transit authority action |
Simple visual summary: Known local actions
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Greg Abbott
- News 4 San Antonio
- Google Search: Greg Abbott No Kings protest
- Hoodline
- Google Scholar: Greg Abbott protests
- WOAI iHeart
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Greg Abbott Texas
- Express News
- Google News: Greg Abbott Texas protests
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The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
