As record numbers of migrants attempt to cross into the United States, a group describing itself as ‘God’s army’ is en route to the Texas border in a mission they call “domestic internal defense,” raising concerns about potential confrontations and the escalating political rhetoric around immigration.
The group, known as “Take Our Border Back,” has organized a convoy to the southern border.The convoy is scheduled to start on Monday from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and will include three rallies in San Ysidro, California; Yuma, Arizona; and Eagle Pass, Texas, on February 3rd. The convoy is part of what organizers claim to be a “biblical, monumental moment that’s been put together by God,” according to comments made during a planning call.
Organizers have garnered significant support, with their following on Telegram surging to more than 3,000 members and donations exceeding $138,000, according to their fundraising page. The funds are earmarked for transportation, media technology support, rally expenses, communication equipment, and staging. The group asserts that their demonstration will be a peaceful assembly to pray and protest under the First Amendment right, despite military-style language used by some of its leaders, such as Pete Chambers, who claimed he was a Green Beret.”What gets us to the enemy quickly is to find, fix, and finish, exploit, analyze, and disseminate,” Chambers said.
The convoy’s actions coincide with rising tensions between Texas and the federal government. Recently, the Texas National Guard installed razor wire along the Rio Grande to deter migrants, a move contested by the Biden administration. The Supreme Court ruled that federal authorities have jurisdiction over the border, allowing Border Patrol to cut through the wire, but Texas officials have vowed to “hold the line.”
While the event has been promoted as a peaceful protest, there is recognition that “infiltrators” or “provocateurs” might disrupt the demonstration, according to organizer Scotty Saks. Security teams are said to be in place to handle any such situations.
Republican Rep. Keith Self of Texas has voiced his support for the convoy, while former president Donald Trump has called for “all willing states to deploy their guards to Texas to prevent the entry of illegals.” The escalating situation has drawn attention to the convoy, which some fear may not remain as contained as organizers hope.
Amid this complex backdrop of Christian nationalism, border security politics, and record-breaking migrant encounters, ‘God’s army’ is making its way to the border with a controversial agenda that is capturing the nation’s attention in a presidential election year rife with division over immigration policy.
Relevant articles:
– A convoy calling themselves ‘God’s army’ plans to head to the Texas border to stop migrants from entering the US
– A convoy calling themselves ‘God’s army’ en route to the Texas border to stop migrants has raised $138,000 in donations, Business Insider, Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:05:00 GMT
– Protest Convoy Headed to Southern Border Is Calling Itself an ‘Army of God’, VICE, Fri, 26 Jan 2024 15:26:45 GMT
– Convoy claiming to be ‘God’s army’ heading to Texas to protest border crisis: ‘Biblical, monumental moment’, New York Post, Sat, 27 Jan 2024 22:33:00 GMT