Texas antifascist activist ‘not guilty’ in Fort Worth drag show defense trial

Thursday, August 8 marked Chris “Big Tex” Guillott’s first taste of freedom since a spring 2023 altercation in Fort Worth.

According to the Texas Observer’s Steven Monacelli, Guillott, 34, of Lewisville; was found not guilty by a jury in his Fort Worth trial.

Fort Worth is the only Republican-controlled city in the State of Texas.

During the trial, it was revealed that billionaire hotelier and Republican mega-donor Monty Bennett, publisher of The Dallas Express, donated funds for the far-right group’s lawsuit.

Bennett is best-remembered for pocketing tens of millions in PPP loans and spending lobbying money to fight against Texas public education. Bennett is also a major donor to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Last year, Bennett cut Paxton’s campaign a check to the tune of $100,000.

In April of 2023, anti-drag show and far-right Christian nationalist organization the “New Columbia Movement,” protested a drag show at Fort Brewery and Pizza on Fort Worth’s White Settlement Road.

A counterprotest, organized by the Elm Fork chapter of the John Brown Gun Club (JBGC) — a left-leaning gun rights and antifascist organization — occurred in response.

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