A convoy started by far-right extremists is bound for the Texas-Mexico border this weekend to show support for the Texas government in its ongoing standoff against the federal government over the migrant crisis, raising concerns from some experts about potential violence.
While the “Take our Border Back” convoy started its journey from Virginia Beach, Virginia, earlier this week with just a few dozen cars and trucks, it had over 200 vehicles by Thursday as it departed Dripping Springs, Texas, for its final destination in Quemado, Texas, 20 miles from the border town of Eagle Pass, where the Texas National Guard has taken control of a public park and refused access to Border Patrol agents.
U.S. officials are tracking open-source intelligence related to the trucker convoy.
The convoy’s organizers have publicly pledged to keep the convoy peaceful, saying they made the determination not to actually enter Eagle Pass. However, a rally Thursday evening in Dripping Springs, packed with hundreds of attendees, included xenophobic language and conspiratorial statements. Speakers included former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, elected Texas officials, musician Ted Nugent, Christian nationalist pastors and reporter-turned-conspiracy theorist Lara Logan.