OP-ED: By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com
Before a single sign was lifted or a chant began, Texas leaders like Governor Greg Abbott and Rep. Keith Self had already written the script: the June 14 protest in McKinney would descend into chaos. They invoked images of lawlessness and radicalism, warning of “outside agitators” and “California-style unrest.” Abbott even put the National Guard on standby.
But here’s what actually happened in TX-03: according to organizers, over 3,000 local residents gathered peacefully across the corners of U.S. 75 and 380—waving signs, sharing water, and singing together in the heat. No arrests. No property damage. No confrontations with police. The most disruptive thing on site might’ve been the traffic—and even that was managed calmly by law enforcement.
We walked the full length of the protest zone, and what we saw wasn’t violent mobs or paid agitators—it was everyday Texans. Teachers. Veterans. Parents. High schoolers. Churchgoers. People pushing strollers and holding signs. People who live here in TX-03. People who are, plainly and honestly, fed up—with the rhetoric, the division, and the inaction from our elected officials.
There was no rage in the air. No screaming matches. No vandalism. Just deep, steady concern—and a collective decision to show up and be counted.
The Only Real Provocation Came from Outside the Movement
The only flash of confrontation came not from protesters, but from a handful of young men who walked through the crowd carrying a Confederate flag. They tried to provoke anger—getting in the face of a protester wearing a military uniform and calling her a traitor. But the people around them de-escalated quickly. Some stepped in. Others simply ignored them. The group kept walking and eventually disappeared without incident.
Police presence was visible but low-key. Officers rode bikes along the perimeter or observed from a distance. There were no riot shields or mass arrests—just a few medical emergencies to assist and, frankly, a calm and well-organized crowd to observe. From all appearances, they seemed content with what they were seeing: Texans exercising their rights peacefully and respectfully.
The story of this protest didn’t match the fear-based narrative Abbott and Self have leaned on for months. So instead of acknowledging that Texans are capable of peaceful protest and principled disagreement, they cast shadows before the event even began—just in case they needed an excuse to ignore what was actually being said.
The Guard That Wasn’t Needed
Abbott activated over 5,000 National Guard troops ahead of the protests, citing vague threats of “outside agitators.” But in TX-03, locals gathered peacefully. No violence. No arrests. No justification for the show of force.
In fact, the fear tactics may have backfired. McKinney saw over 3,000 people turn out peacefully. Dallas drew 10,000 marchers. Fort Worth added 2,000 more. Houston? 15,000. Not one of these demonstrations ended in chaos. Not one made the case for militarization.
Jeremy Sutka, Chair of the Collin County Democratic Party, called it out directly: “Abbott’s escalation isn’t about safety; it’s about suppressing dissent and creating crises where none exist.” He added, “Over 5,000 Texans peacefully exercised their First Amendment rights in Collin County alone, directly contradicting Abbott and Trump’s attempts to demonize protesters and justify authoritarian overreach.”
Sutka made it clear this wasn’t an isolated case. “The CCDP has participated in over 10 peaceful protests this year alone—proof that Texans can assemble responsibly without militarized intimidation.”
In the end, the threat wasn’t the crowd—it was their unity. And for leaders who rely on fear to stay in power, that may be the scariest thing of all.
A Missed Opportunity for Leadership
Instead of acknowledging that Texans are capable of peaceful protest and principled disagreement, state leaders chose to insult them in advance. They didn’t listen—they postured. And when the dust cleared, they had nothing to say about the outcome.
In stark contrast to the protest—where thousands stood peacefully shoulder to shoulder, voices were heard, and disagreements were calmly defused—Rep. Keith Self’s town hall just miles away offered the opposite. Asking tough questions or challenging misinformation wasn’t met with dialogue, but with dismissal. A healthcare worker and lifelong Republican was mocked and silenced for voicing concern. Disagreement wasn’t engaged—it was shut down. Elected officials looked away. Supporters shouted down their neighbors. The message was clear: fall in line, or be labeled the enemy.
For moderates and others who supported these officials in good faith, it’s fair to ask: is this what they expected? The shouting down? The division? The idea that asking a question—or holding a protest sign on a McKinney street—makes you a traitor?
And for the folks who sat out last November and let apathy call the shots—do they still feel good about that choice now?
Something feels different in TX-03. People aren’t staying quiet anymore. There’s a real sense that voters are ready to speak up—and hold the people in power to account.
That shift matters.
Now it’s time to act on it—and to send a message: that the hate, the fear-mongering, and the manufactured division don’t work anymore. That people will stand together—and for each other—not because of party lines, but because they still believe in decency, accountability, and democracy.
Because at the end of the day, these aren’t just Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, or Democrats out there.
They’re Texans.
They’re neighbors.
They’re Americans.
And they’re paying attention now—more than some leaders ever expected.
Photo by Merrick Multimedia. Used with permission. merrickmultimedia.com