DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (NewsNation) — A convoy of protestors calling themselves “God’s Army” is in Louisiana and is gearing up to continue its journey towards Texas. It’s day three of a two-week-long protest to raise awareness about the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Supporters have traveled from all areas of the country — from states like New Jersey, Missouri and Georgia — to be part of the “Take Our Border Back Convoy.”
The convoy settled in Jacksonville, Florida, Monday night, welcomed by dozens of people waving American flags and a band singing the national anthem. About 18 trucks arrived in Florida, but they left with as many as 40, and they hope to continue to expand.
After their meet-up in Denham Springs, Louisiana, the convoy will head to Dripping Springs, Texas, near Austin. Following a rally there, the group will divide, with some heading to Yuma, Arizona, and others to Quemado, Texas.
They aim to express their outrage and concern over the record migrant encounters at the southern border. Through their activism, they hope to inspire leaders to take action and address the issue.
Additionally, they seek to show support for Texas leadership, which they view as standing up to the federal government on border enforcement.
“We need to stand up, our voices need to be heard; we need to bring people together,” said Bruce Poppy, who is driving across the country with the convoy. “That’s our right. That is our First Amendment right to peacefully assemble and redress our grievances for our government. We have not been able to do that.”
The protest comes as the standoff between Texas and the federal government over border enforcement intensifies.
Federal agents are still not being allowed into Shelby Park, Texas, to conduct their normal operations. The Biden administration weighed the decision on whether to pursue legal action against the state after giving Texas officials a deadline to allow agents into the area.
With the pressure mounting on the Biden administration to curb high levels of illegal crossings after a new record for the most migrant encounters in a single month was set in December, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are inching closer to a new border deal that would give President Joe Biden the authority to shut down the border if illegal crossings exceed 5,000 on any given day.
The convoy also plans to make stops in Eagle Pass, Texas, and San Ysidro, California. Organizers told NewsNation they expect more people to join the cross-country trek in Texas and Arizona.
NewsNation’s Xavier Walton, Jorege Ventura and Devan Markham contributed to this report.
