Armed demonstrators defend park monument

Group responds to perceived threat to Sam Houston statue

Hundreds of protesters, some of them armed, gathered at Hermann Park on Saturday in an attempt to defend the honor of Sam Houston.

Carrying Texas and Confederate flags, participants seemed concerned the park’s Sam Houston statue might be removed since the historical figure owned slaves.

“Erasing history for the sake of political correctness or to make somebody feel better, it’s not just stupid — it’s dangerous,” said David Amad, one of the demonstration’s organizers.

The group wants others to understand Sam Houston’s contribution to Texas history. The demonstration was organized after rumors spread that a group called Texas Antifa was planning to show up to advocate removing the statue from the park.

But the group, This is Texas, was left advocating for a cause without the other side present. The anticipated anti-Sam Houston protesters were no-shows at Hermann Park. Throughout the week, media reports swirled that Saturday’s protest advocating the statue’s removal was fake.

Houston Antifia, a local chapter of the International Antifascist/Antiracist organization ANTIFA, called Texas Antifa fake and “alt-right trolls trying to use hot button issues to drum up ire,” in a Facebook message.

Despite the no-show from the other side, the pro-Sam Houston demonstration continued.

Protesters hooped and hollered, while chants of “Lone Star State!” reverberated through the park.

“This is not yours to take,” one protester proclaimed to the crowd. “This is our heritage.

This monument is a reminder of why we are here.”

Amad said most participants were from This is Texas, a recently formed group that advocates for the state and wants to preserve its history.

He called slavery “horrible” and said he understands how some could have trouble dealing with the fact that Houston was a slave owner.

“Sam Houston owned slaves and that sucks, so say it sucks, but don’t discount the fact that he led the army that freed this state from a dictator,” Amad said.

A heavy police presence surrounded the park, which was filled with families enjoying the weekend.

Police Chief Art Acevedo was on scene and said law enforcement likes to communicate with organizers to keep protests like the one at Hermann Park safe.

“We work very closely with organizers regardless of what the issue may be, no matter what their objectives are,” Acevedo said. “We want to make sure that people work with us and we work with them and let them accomplish their goal, which is to express their views.”

During the demonstration, Amad said different protesters spoke about Sam Houston’s contribution to history and why it’s important to preserve his statue.

Arlene Barnum saw on Facebook there was a group threatening to take down the Sam Houston monument.

She came to protest, fearing that removing the monument eventually would lead to changing the names of schools and streets.

“When I heard about this monument threatened to be taken down, I knew it wasn’t about the monument,” Barnum said. “They were probably going to go after the streets and the schools.”

One protester, Walter, felt compelled to show up and protect the monument.

“I’m out here to be a part of this and show a force,” Walter said. “The more people out here show what we stand for.”