Conroe Weekend Protest Avoids Immigration Issue

CONROE, TX -- Conroe played its part in the protests that took place all over the nation on Saturday, June 14th, which also happened to be Flag Day, and the U.S. Army’s 250th and President Donald Trump 79th birthdays. While some thought the protest as an extension of the protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportations of criminal migrants, President Trump seemed to be the main topic of conversation from the overwhelmingly Caucasian crowd that attended the nokings.org, or ‘No Kings,’ protest event in downtown Conroe. Although it was hot and humid, the mainly Montgomery County citizens lined both sides of SH 105 between North San Jacinto and Main Streets, chanting different things, such as ‘8647,’ a code which means to kill President Trump. The crowd differed from the country club sort, to those who looked impoverished, all united in their detest for the President.

It wasn’t a professionally organized protest. No signage appeared identical. No bricks were seen, nor fireworks. No vans or rental trucks were posted nearby handing out riot implements. One or two Mexican flags were shown, in fact, only a few Hispanic groups attended. It was for the most part an all-white event of liberal Democrats, of which very few were masked.

The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management released a statement Saturday morning acknowledging that the Conroe Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, have been working together installing safety measures (car barriers) in downtown Conroe to ensure the safety of any protesters and the public.

Alexandra Escobar and Cristal Espinoza, both 19, and from Huntsville attended. They were on hand to show support for several relatives who are undocumented.

“I have a close relative that if she were to be deported, would leave me and my siblings needing to rely on others,” said Espinoza. “It can be very stressful when I can’t get through to her on the phone.”

In another Hispanic group, the mood differed a bit, actually a lot, with several individuals mad at the ‘Gringos,’ or White Democrats, for hi-jacking the day, as well as their issue.

Many protesters were average citizens, simply expressing their right to protest peacefully, trying to convince those in their cars passing to switch to their cause. Still some were scared they were gonna be arrested, but did not give any justifiable reasons why they would even be detained.

“I’m horrified Trump is President,” said librarian Jess A. “He will always protect his billionaire and oligarch friends.”

The Conroe Police presence was minimal, basically for traffic control, while maintaining officers on the outskirts of the protesters. CPD also operated a drone overwatch as an extra layer of protection just in case it needed to reallocate police resources on a moment's notice.

One Oak Ridge resident, Ben Smith, wasn’t a verbal protester, but thought that wearing a robe and sash and dressing as Jesus Christ, might bring some peace to the protesters. The protesters also chanted “No Peace in America,” and “This is what Democracy looks like.”

“I support Democracy. I Love America,” said Amy, who works with the Montgomery County Elections Commission. She dutifully repeated, as everyone did, the chants, such as ‘No Peace America,’ ‘8647,’ amongst others.

Not all protesters were from the left side of the political spectrum, but Trump supporter Paige Tooker, and several of her friends walked the area in their Trump regalia, and were treated to unkind words that you wouldn’t want to share with your child or preacher.

A late afternoon press release Saturday by Conroe PD noted that approximately 1,300 protesters participated in the day’s event at City Hall.

“The Conroe Police Department are exemplary professionals,” said Jerry L O’Neal, from the Conroe Press on Facebook. “All the officers excelled in their duties, from maintaining street safety to protecting the event and preserving peace.”

While protests in the big cities resulted in violent clashes between the police and protesters, the results in Conroe were very palatable. The protesters had their say, and went home. The only minor issues noted by CPD was some traffic congestion in the area, otherwise there were no incidents, no injuries, and no arrests.

“Conroe Police Chief Jon Buckholtz extends his sincere thanks to the dedicated men and women of the Conroe Police Department for their professionalism and commitment to public safety,” said CPD Public Information Officer Sgt David Dickinson. “Their presence and hard work ensured a safe environment for all of Conroe’s citizens, and with a strong team effort, prevented the lawlessness seen in many cities across the Country.”

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