The trucker convoy, called “God’s Army,” left for Texas to protest against the influx of immigrants. They organized a rally that turned out to be a vigil for January 6 rioters, and one of them held a speech in Dripping Springs, Texas.
“I am one of the J6ers”
The Daily Beast reported that Joshua Macias held a speech. He never entered the Capitol building but was facing jail time after entering Philadelphia’s polling site with an AR-15 rifle and a Samurai sword to ensure the “integrity” of the vote. He said in his speech, “I am one of the J6ers,” and called imprisoned rioters “hostages.”
From “hostages” to “patriots”
A veteran who co-founded Veterans for Trump told the Alabama audience, “I’m here to tell you there are over 1,200 Patriots locked up.”
Famous faces
According to reports, musician Ted Nugent and former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin joined the rally. Several sources said the rally comprised around 500 people, though the NY Post reported it had over 1000 attendees. KXAN reported that Nugent referred to President Joe Biden as a “devil scum snake.”
Mixed messages
KXAN also noted that it was not clear what the message of this gathering was, with some claiming it was about “taking back our borders,” while others were solely focused on January 6. At some point, the group chanted the name of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by the police while trying to climb through a shattered window beside a barricaded door into the Speaker’s Lobby.
Palin spoke to the crowd
The ex-governor stated, “It’s treasonous what our own federal government is doing to us. It’s actually sanctioning an invasion, a foreign invasion across our border.” Palin added, “The eyes of the world are on Texas right now.”
The group has gained over 160k so far
According to GiveSendGo, the group “Take Our Border Back” gathered over 160k dollars, which is needed for “Gas for lead busses and trucks, city permits, media-technology support, rally location expenses, communication equipment, staging at rally sites, lighting, supplies, etc.,” the official statement said.
Not going to the border
Forbes reported that the convoy is not “going to the border” but will tour the border states and organize rallies. One of the rallies should be held on Cornerstone Children’s Ranch, near the Texas-Mexico border.
The group shares messages on Telegram and Zello
After some far-right outlets reported about the “civil war” and “force-on-force” conflicts, Telegram messages inside the group were reportedly filled with concerns, “Especially cause we know what they did on 6 JAN,” as one person wrote, as per the Daily Beast.
A “bad feeling”
Someone wrote on Telegram, “I have had a bad feeling i couldn’t shake and dreamed about the federal guys on a hill shooting off smoke rounds and flashbangs.” Another added, “You can’t fight them, you know they’re a paid fed or paid actor,” while talking about potential provocateurs.
No sign of 700,000 truckers
Zello chat reported that around 40 vehicles left Florida’s Jacksonville, adding that there would be 80 more in Louisiana. Still, later, someone reported “more than 40” instead of 80.
Everyone’s welcome
The organizers invited “law-abiding, freedom-loving Americans, veterans, Mama Bears, elected officials, business owners, ranchers, truckers, bikers, and active and retired law enforcement and military” to join them.
Pray and do not engage
Organizers added they would not engage with “individuals who may be coming across that border.” The rally organizer reminded the crowd that the protests were “peaceful” and asked people to come to pray, hear the speakers, and invite more “patriots.” Read the full report on The Daily Beast.
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