Musician Ted Nugent performed for the attendees of the “Take Our Border Back” convoy Thursday, Feb. 1, in Dripping Springs, Texas. The convoy, made up of mostly truckers, is heading to southern border towns to “peacefully assemble” and call on the U.S. government to secure the border.
Just outside of Austin, hundreds of attendees wearing Donald Trump hats and waving American and Texas flags called for reform, voicing frustration with how the Biden administration has handled the border crisis.
During fiscal year 2023, federal agents apprehended more than 2.3 million migrants at the southern border, topping a previous record of 1.7 million apprehensions during fiscal year 2021, according to data from Customs and Border Protection.
“To raise awareness that this is an invasion,” attendee Mona Miller said. “And our country can’t sustain this. And to raise awareness to the fact that most of them coming across the border are single, military-age men.”
Sarah Palin, the former Republican governor of Alaska and vice presidential candidate, made a surprise appearance and spoke to the crowd.
“So, for you all to be standing up and saying, ‘You know what? Enough is enough. We’re not going to take it anymore. We’re going to take our country back,’” Palin said. “Texas, you’re the epicenter of this. Thank you so much for being the activists. For being the hardworking, independent, patriotic Americans that you are.”
The convoy left Virginia Beach on Monday, Jan. 29, encouraging all “active and retired law enforcement and military, veterans, mama bears, elected officials, business owners, ranchers, truckers, bikers, media and law abiding, freedom loving Americans” to join them in their journey.
So far, the convoy has stopped in Jacksonville, Florida, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The convoy is planned to end with large rallies at three border locations on Saturday: Eagle Pass, Texas; Yuma, Arizona; and San Ysidro, California.
While the convoy has remained peaceful, some advocacy groups are warning caution.
The League of United Latin American Citizens issued its second-ever “national alert” over the convoy, pleading with communities to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
The group is also encouraging people not to get drawn into confrontation with those trying to provoke a fight, according to its website.
Organizers of the convoy said they’re not looking to cause any problems for anyone, including law enforcement and the National Guard.
According to the convoy’s website, each participant or attendee must agree to peacefully participate in the convoy.
