Abbott declares state of disaster for Texas after protests over George Floyd’s death
Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster Sunday and ordered thousands of state troopers to respond to protests across Texas spurred by the death of George Floyd.
“Every Texan and every American has the right to protest and I encourage all Texans to exercise their First Amendment rights,” Abbott said in a statement Sunday. “However, violence against others and the destruction of property is unacceptable and counterproductive. As protests have turned violent in various areas across the state, it is crucial that we maintain order, uphold public safety, and protect against property damage or loss.”
Protesters across the state, including in Fort Worth and Dallas, marched against police brutality after a viral video depicted Floyd, a black man, dying after a white police officer in Minneapolis pressed a knee into his neck while his hands were handcuffed behind his back.
The video sparked outrage nationwide. Officer Derek Chauvin was arrested Friday and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Chauvin was fired along with three other officers who were at the scene.
Gatherings in Fort Worth on Saturday night led to tense stand-offs with police officers, who threatened to arrest protesters who did not leave. Police made at least two arrests. Protests in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio started off peacefully but later resulted in violence, fires, looting and police firing tear gas, pepper spray and sound grenades.
Abbott’s disaster declaration emphasizes that peaceful protesters, “many of whom are responding to the senseless taking of life by the reprehensible actions of a few, should themselves be protected from harm.” His declaration allows him to suspend laws to respond to the disaster, and authorizes the use of all available resources at the state and local levels.
Abbott suspended provisions of state law to give federal law enforcement officers the authority to act as Texas peace officers, “to help protect people’s safety while ensuring that peaceful protesters can continue to make their voices heard.”
Shortly after his announcement, Abbott ordered “thousands more troopers” and over 1,000 National Guardsmen to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement in responding to protests. The FBI has also deployed tactical teams to assist state and local efforts, he announced.
The additional state resources come a day after Abbott activated the Texas National Guard and deployed 1,500 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin to assist local police departments.
Abbott called the actions that led to Floyd’s death reprehensible and said in a statement Saturday that “they should be condemned in the strongest terms possible.”
“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,” Abbott said in a statement Sunday.
For many protesting in Fort Worth, Floyd’s death was a reminder of the death of Atatiana Jefferson, a 28-year-old black woman who was shot in her home by a white officer in October. Aaron Dean, the officer, resigned and was indicted on a murder charge in December.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price alluded to Jefferson’s death in a statement Saturday, and said “we must take steps to ensure there is justice and a better tomorrow.”
Demonstrators in Fort Worth said they planned to resume gathering Sunday afternoon.
In San Antonio, officials implemented a curfew for the downtown business district, and Sunday afternoon Dallas officials announced a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. “for the next several days.”
A rally at the Texas Capitol in Austin was canceled Sunday afternoon, after the executive director of the Austin Justice Coalition said they couldn’t ensure the safety of black community members. Hundreds still showed up for the city’s third day of protests, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner announced Saturday that Floyd’s remains will be returned to Houston, his hometown, for burial, according to the Houston Chronicle.
This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 1:17 PM.
