SAN ANTONIO – Protests over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and detentions continued on Wednesday in downtown San Antonio.
A crowd of about 100 people were seen gathering near the Alamo before 7 p.m., growing to hundreds by 9 p.m.
Protesters also gathered at City Hall before the groups came together, marching down Dolorosa and St. Mary’s streets. Alamo Plaza was closed during the protests.
During the protests, troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety were seen patrolling the area as San Antonio police officers drove through downtown.
“I’m here because I want to be a voice for the people that are too scared to come out here and speak their own truth,” one protester said.
Gov. Greg Abbott deployed the Texas National Guard to San Antonio ahead of the protests. San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said Wednesday that officers would intervene if “it turns violent.”
>> SAPD, San Antonio officials outline safety protocols ahead of planned ICE protests
Members of This Is Texas Freedom Force were also seen traveling to the Alamo carrying firearms.
In an X post, the group said they were in downtown San Antonio “to defend it against the anti deportation rioters.”
San Antonio police helped block traffic as protestors marched. SAPD Chief William McManus could be seen overlooking the crowd outside City Hall.
There was no violence during Wednesday’s protests. Social media posts pointed to peaceful demonstrations to protest immigration raids that have been happening across the country.
“I think it’s time for San Antonio to speak up,” another protester said.
While at the ICE protest, KSAT crews also saw about 10 ANTIFA members.
“America is under distress,” one protester said. “So we got to show them, ‘Hey, something is going on and we’ve got to do something about it.’”
On Thursday, DPS confirmed to KSAT there were no arrests made during Wednesday’s protests.
The department said no one was injured and no buildings were damaged.
“DPS is continuously monitoring events and their impact on public safety across the state. While we do not discuss operational specifics, DPS is aware of protests planned for later this week and we will continue to collaborate with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our citizens and state property, as well as to protect individuals exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and free speech,” DPS said in a statement, in part.
Abbott deploys Texas National Guard to San Antonio
In a press conference on Wednesday, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the city did not request the troops and received “no advance warning” from Abbott’s office.
City officials at the press conference said they were not aware of the number of troops sent to San Antonio. McManus also said they were not currently in contact with the troop’s commander.
“The reports of the Governor deploying the National Guard to our community underscore the need for us to remain peaceful and safe this weekend,” Nirenberg said in a statement on social media.
https://t.co/uagWqxEJWS pic.twitter.com/Th2NLjzTym
— Mayor Ron Nirenberg (@Ron_Nirenberg) June 11, 2025
Abbott’s office provided KSAT with a statement that can be read in its entirety below:
“The State of Texas stands ready to deploy all necessary personnel and resources to uphold law and order across our state. Texas National Guard soldiers are on standby in areas where mass demonstrations are planned in case they are needed. Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles. Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be swiftly held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
An ICE spokesperson told KSAT, “ICE respects the constitutional right of people to peacefully protest; however, assaulting, resisting, impeding or harassing ICE officers and special agents or interfering in any way as they are executing their official duty is against the law.”
“If any person assaults a federal law enforcement officer, they risk being prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the spokesperson said.
On Sunday, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) San Antonio organized a protest at City Hall, a week after ICE officers were seen detaining people outside the San Antonio Immigration Court and on the University of Texas at San Antonio’s campus.
Another protest is planned at Travis Park on Saturday, coinciding with Trump’s planned military parade in Washington, D.C.
The protest at Travis Park is organized by Women’s March and 50501 San Antonio.
“50501 SATX has always and will always stand for non-violent protest,” organizers said in a statement.
Read also:
