• Greg Abbott has deployed over 5,000 National Guard troops across Texas ahead of planned protests.
• The deployment aims to maintain order during demonstrations against immigration policies.
• Protests are part of a national movement, amid rising tensions following ICE raids.
• Abbott emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy for violence during protests.
• Mayors in affected cities claim they were not consulted on the National Guard deployment.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the deployment of over 5,000 National Guard troops in anticipation of protests scheduled across the state. This decision is aimed at ensuring "peace and order" during the upcoming demonstrations against immigration enforcement and policies of the Trump administration. Abbott emphasized that while peaceful protest is a constitutional right, "harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest," according to Newsweek and ABC News.

The protests stem from widespread opposition to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have intensified under the current federal administration. Demonstrations are planned not just in San Antonio but also in major cities including Austin, Houston, and Dallas, reflecting a growing movement known as "No Kings." Abbott's deployment represents a significant state response as cities brace for possible unrest during these events, according to HuffPost and Los Angeles Times.

Abbott noted that his administration would utilize "every tool & strategy" to assist law enforcement in maintaining public order, with confirmed reports of some troops already being active in downtown San Antonio during recent protests. The governor's assertive stance contrasts sharply with the response of other state officials, including San Antonio's Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who expressed dissatisfaction over being uninformed about the deployment, criticizing it as a crude interpretation of immigration law, according to ABC News and Los Angeles Times.

While participants in previous demonstrations have faced heightened law enforcement measures, including reported arrests and some clashes with police, Abbott’s administration maintains that there will be zero tolerance for illegal activities during the upcoming protests. He reaffirmed that anyone disrupting public order will be held accountable, reflecting Texas's commitment to a law-and-order ethos amidst escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, as detailed by HuffPost and Newsweek.