Border Town Locals Join "No Kings" National Day of Protest on June 14 in Del Rio

More than 75 protesters rallied at the Civic Center in Del Rio Texas this afternoon June 14 for a “No Kings” demonstration. Del Rio was one of thousands of cities who saw protests at the exact same time around the country, from the Texas State Capital building in Austin to the “No Kings” main gathering in Philadelphia. The nationwide movement was purposefully timed to coincide with the “250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army Grand Military Parade and Celebration” that started on Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C. at 6:30pm EST (5:30pm CST).

With 100-degree heat and a crowd that included children as young as 13 and elderly folks up to age 85, the group decided to stay at the Civic Center and peacefully protest in place, rather than march. They chanted, “Give Trump the Chancla!” Veteran’s Boulevard was bustling with traffic. Protesters were struggling to speak to one another over the constant stream of honking cars. People passing by waved and cheered loudly in what appeared to be mostly support. It was the largest gathering for a political demonstration seen in Del Rio in at least 3 years. 

Children as young as 13 and elderly folks up to age 85 attended the protest

The Del Rio Police Department (DRPD) released a public statement on June 12, in advance of the protest. The statement started by saying: “At the Del Rio Police Department, our top priority is safety – for demonstrators, bystanders, and our officers. We’re committed to protecting everyone’s right to peacefully assemble and speak freely. It’s a responsibility we take seriously.” DRPD were the first to arrive at the civic center, which is located directly adjacent to the police station. Officers spoke kindly to the protest organizers, even exchanging a hug, and offered to escort the group if they wanted to march along Veteran’s Boulevard.

Valerie Rodriguez-Davila was one of the main organizers of this event, as well as several past protests in town. In response to the DRPD press release, Rodriguez said, “I share this a reminder that we are organizing to have our voices heard against the current administration and the inhumane treatment of immigrants! We are not violent, we are peaceful, but our voices must be heard!” The June 14 protest was indeed peaceful. The police left almost immediately but advised protesters to call if they needed support. People young and old were chanting together, waving flags, and standing in solidarity. 

Retired Sul Ros professor of multicultural studies, Dr. Miriam Muñiz-Quiz, expressed concerns for Education

A wide range of demographics were represented at the protest, from a retired police officer holding a half-mast American flag to a Chicano activist in her Brown Beret. Some wore face coverings to protect their identity. There were a notable number of public-school educators and students present. Retired Sul Ros professor of multicultural studies, Dr. Miriam Muñiz-Quiz, said “I am not happy about the voucher program, it’s for the rich, it’s not for everyday people. They think they are going to be able to go to any school that they want. It doesn’t work that way at all, it’s defunding our public schools and the salaries for teachers and administrators… Their goal is to dumb down schools because they want an uneducated populus.”

"No Kings" national organizers said they chose June 14, “to draw a clear contrast between our people-powered movement and the costly, wasteful and un-American birthday parade in Washington.” Trump has received criticism for the projected cost of $25 million to $45 million for the June 14 parade. June 14th is Flag Day, the US Army’s 250th Anniversary, and President Trumps’ 79th birthday. Trump responded in defense of the expense stating, "We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it."

Protestors in Del Rio expressed issues with recent federal budget cuts and cited various examples of how they felt their constitutional rights were being lessened by new policies. Protestors were upset about the cost of living and climate change. Mainly, protestors were focused on immigration issues. One masked protestor who wished to remain anonymous said her family are immigrants with legal status but are nonetheless scared of deportation and have made an emergency plan in case they need to leave the country suddenly. They said, “I am covering my face to protect the identify of my family… I am here for them.”

Posters read: "Military parade but dodged the draft" and "So bad, even the introverts are here!"

The “No Kings” movement came to a head on June 6 when thousands of Los Angeles community members began to protest in response to a series of “immigration enforcement operations” being referred to as “ICE raids,” according to multiple sources. Also on June 6, Trump said in a public announcement: “We will celebrate a spectacular military parade in Washington DC like no other… This parade salutes our soldiers’ remarkable strength and unbeatable spirit… Thundering tanks and breathtaking flyovers will roar through our capital city as nearly 7,000 soldiers march in historic uniforms from every major war since the Revolution… I think it’s gonna be better and bigger than any parade we’ve ever had in this country.”

Over the last week, protests have erupted across the nation. The San Antonio protest resulted in zero injuries or arrests, but an earlier protest in Austin was not as peaceful. In response to the protests in Los Angeles, Trump's administration deployed 4,100 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to control the situation using “insurrection” management tactics such as rubber bullets. The National Guard was also deployed to San Antonio downtown in advance of their protest.

Sage was burned to bless the protestors in traditional Native practice.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against Trump, claiming his recent deportation actions violate “due process.” On June 10, ACLU said, “Immigrants’ rights groups are asking a court to block the Trump administration’s fast-track deportation policy.” This case is still developing. On June 13, a judge ruled that the actions were unconstitutional and ordered Trump to relinquish control of the California National Guard. A federal appeals court temporarily blocked the ruling and put the order on hold until an appeals hearing June 17.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are active in Del Rio. Several Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) arrests have been documented at businesses around town over the last few months. ICE posts daily reports regarding dangerous criminals they have apprehended. However, some protesters argued ICE is targeting all immigrants and went so far as to write “abolish ICE” on their posters.

As a border community, Del Rio is one of the many cities directly impacted by Trump’s immigration policies. Many members of the community work for Homeland Security or Customs & Border Patrol. Many have friends who live in Mexico or have families who are split across the border. Here, the complexities of immigration policies are not abstract concepts but tangible aspects of daily life, impacting individuals and fostering a range of viewpoints that create the foundation for the ongoing national dialogue about the border.