It's time that Gov. Greg Abbot issue an executive order calling for the immediate dispersal and disbandment of all unlawful militias in the state of Texas and DEMAND that local Law Agencies use state laws already on the books to enforce said order. 


It is no secret that far right extremists are gearing up for a race war in the U.S., especially in Texas. In the last few months, we’ve seen armed white militias engaging in "shows of force" against peaceful protests led by predominately black and brown residents in small communities throughout North Texas. Referring to local organizers peacefully exercising their first amendment rights as out of town members of BLM or Antifa, these unlawfully organized militias use the same intimidation tactics that terrorist groups like the KKK have employed for more than a century. What is even more disturbing is that local enforcement have continued to not only allow this activity but at times, have even been caught supporting and encouraging it. Even in the case of assaults, police have failed to protect unarmed residents confronted by these armed militiamen. 

While the activities of these groups are themselves reprehensible, their very existence as formally organized militias (with their own websites, codes of conduct, and organizational oaths) who are neither recognized or authorized by the state, also makes them illegal. Thats right. Texas Government Code section 437.208 states clearly that excluding the regularly organized armed forces of the United States of America or a militia formed by the state, it is illegal for any “body of persons” to assemble as a militia or "parade in public with firearms” so as to give the impression of one. In fact, in 1982, the Southern Poverty Law Center took the Texas Knights of the Ku Klux Klan to federal court for their use of unauthorized paramilitary intimidation tactics against Vietnamese fishermen on the Gulf Coast, and the SPLC won under the pretense of this law. Yet, we continue to see these very same types of militia activities and intimidation campaigns deemed unlawful by the state and federal courts allowed to continue in Texas as local law enforcement agencies refuse to enforce the law against white men, citing they are merely "expressing their 2nd Amendment rights."  But this arguement doesn't hold up either. In 1886, the Supreme Court ruled that while the Second Amendment calls for a “well-regulated Militia... military operations and military drill are subjects under the control of the government... They cannot be claimed as a right independent of law.” The decision has been upheld on more than one occasion thereafter. Futhermore, Texas Penal Code 22.05 outlaws brandishing weapons in a manner that knowingly puts other members of the public at risk for deadly harm. So when we see people carrying long arm weapons in ready positions, often with safetys off, and pointing them in the direction of peaceful protestors, this is a blatent violation of Texas brandishing laws. Yet, authorities refuse to enforce the law against the individuals conducting this unlawful behavior.

To be clear, there is a growing movement of radicalized far right extremists in this country who are preparing and training for urban warfare against the United State millitary, many of whom are themselves active and retired members of law enforcement and the military, and North Texas is a hub for this activity. In the DFW area alone there are more than 40 different militia cells actively training, recruiting, and organizing in preparation for the weeks following the election.

SIGN THIS PETITION NOW and DEMAND that Texas Governor Greg Abbot, along with every member of the Texas Legislature CONDEMN the activities of these unlawful militias and vigilante "patriots" by ordering local law enforcement agencies enforce TX Penal Code 22.05 & TX Gov. Code 437.208 against them.