DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – The Dallas Police Department will be monitoring an anti-white supremacy rally in downtown Saturday night.
With the event just a week after violence at a rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said special response teams will be available to respond quickly if needed.
He said they’ve got plans in place to keep the Dallas Against White Supremacy rally under control.
“No no concerns, it’s going a long fine. A lot of good conversations. Everybody understands the rules,” he said.
The tragic events in Charlottesville shed light on the real possibility that the situation could spiral out of control. Rawlings said he realizes that the police have a tough job ahead.
“There’s no question there is anxiety in our police department because there personal safety is in jeopardy. They put there lives on the line every day for us and that is why they’re so great,” he said.
Rawlings said that he supports free speech but asks that the rally remain peaceful.
“We will not tolerate violence in our city of any kind. The police department will take immediate enforcement action if any type of criminal offense is committed against any person or property,” he said.
Crowd control officers will be at the rally and the department will monitor social media for any potential counter protests.
Interim Police Chief David Pughes said the department will activate the city’s emergency operations center on Saturday to monitor the event and coordinate with other state agencies.
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