Overview
- The governor directed state troopers, Special Agents, Texas Rangers, and National Guard soldiers to the capital, with support from aircraft and other tactical assets.
- Abbott labeled the event "antifa-linked" without providing evidence; organizers reject that claim and say the movement is nonviolent, while state Democratic leaders call the deployment intimidating.
- Mayor Kirk Watson said Guard units will not patrol city streets unless an emergency is declared, and Austin police pledged to support peaceful assembly and act on unlawful conduct.
- Officials have not disclosed how many Guard members will deploy or whether other Texas cities will see troops, and Texas Guard elements sent to Chicago under federal orders remain constrained by a court ruling.
- Organizers expect roughly 20,000 to 30,000 attendees in Austin, with a rally at the Capitol at 2 p.m. followed by a march to Auditorium Shores and afternoon programming.