Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the Erath County Courthouse Friday, April 18 in a peaceful protest organized by the Erath County Democratic Party. The event aimed to raise awareness about threats to First Amendment rights, immigration policies and education reforms.
The protest, held from noon to 1 p.m., featured supporters carrying signs and engaging in speeches that emphasized the importance of free speech, freedom of thought and the right to assemble.
“So today’s focus was specifically aimed at protecting and defending the Constitution against enemies, foreign and domestic,” said Moumin Quazi, county chair of the Erath Democrats. “The issue today we wanted to focus on was First Amendment rights.”
Quazi further noted the protest’s peaceful nature: “We’re not in the street and it’s not a call and response. We’re doing this peacefully and almost silently, letting the placards and signs speak for themselves.”
The demonstrators also addressed concerns over recent immigration enforcement actions, particularly the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a court order prohibiting his removal. The Supreme Court has since ruled that the Trump administration must work to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S., emphasizing the importance of due process in immigration proceedings.
Melisa Dunagan, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, highlighted the importance of civic participation: “A lot of people didn’t vote back in November. We want to encourage them to vote and voice their opinions. If we don’t do something now, we’re going to lose everything.”
Margurite Stewart, secretary of the Erath County Democratic Party, criticized recent executive actions: “With his (Trump’s) policies and executive orders, he’s bypassing Congress. Congress should have the purse strings to make those decisions about whether agencies are funded or not.”
The protest also addressed concerns over Texas’ newly approved school voucher programs.
Protesters argued that this initiative could divert essential funds from public schools and lacks adequate accountability measures.
Additionally, attendees expressed alarm over the Trump administration’s recent restrictions on press access, including the removal of wire services like Reuters and Bloomberg News from the White House press pool. Such actions have raised concerns about transparency and freedom of the press.