In the heart of Austin, Texas, amidst a vibrant assembly of drag queens and a master of ceremonies clad in carnival attire, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) delivered a speech that did little to temper the charged atmosphere at the Democrat-sponsored "No Kings" protest.
Addressing the crowd, Doggett declared, We are all in danger as long as President Trump is in office, while a protester prominently displayed a sign reading 8647 nearby.
The event unfolded against a backdrop of tragedy, as Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were reportedly shot and killed by Vance Luther Bolter, a suspect with apparent political motives.
According to Breitbart, Democrat Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also victims of the same assailant, currently in critical condition. Bolter's political connections include appointments by Governor Walz to the Workforce Development Board in 2019 and by then-Governor Mark Dayton to the Workforce Development Council in 2016.
Earlier in the day, the Texas Department of Public Safety took precautionary measures by evacuating the Texas Capitol and closing the grounds due to a threat against lawmakers planning to attend the protest, as reported by Breitbart Texas. The situation was resolved when troopers apprehended a suspect near La Grange, Texas, allowing the grounds to reopen.
Doggett, addressing the assembled crowd, hailed them as Patriots, who will never bow down to a King, and characterized President Donald Trump as a tyrant. He drew parallels to America's historic struggle for independence, asserting, Our struggle for independence 250 years ago freed America from a king far away, and we will never yield to a king from Mar-a-Lago.
The crowd's response was fervent as Doggett recounted an incident involving U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), stating, As you know, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was thrown to the floor, handcuffed, after just daring to ask a question.
This narrative seemed to resonate with the attendees, many of whom donned face masks and dark clothing, signaling a readiness for potential unrest. Some protesters carried helmets and makeshift wooden shields, hinting at the possibility of violence as the rally progressed.
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