Some officials have strongly urged him not to visit South Texas for fear that it will incite more violence and disregard for social distance and mask wear. The Rio Grande Valley has consistently been one of the areas in Texas worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic, with a recent increase in hospitalizations.
‘[S]a public event could cause similar behavior and further affect the current serious COVID-19 crisis in Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley, ‘neighboring Cameron County District Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. said Tuesday morning.
Trump’s visit is the first time he has entered the public eye since the deadly riots at the Capitol. Trump told reporters before boarding his plane to the Alamo that he did not want violence and considered the controversial border wall a huge difference to the southern border. ‘
James Darling, Mayor of the neighboring town of McAllen, said he understood “That emotions are high on both sides”, but also insisted on peaceful protests.
“Passions run dangerously high among supporters and opponents of President Trump,” Hidalgo judge Richard Cortez said before Trump’s trip to the area. “I urge both sides to curb these passions, because ultimately the Rio Grande Valley has a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world that a peaceful public conversation is far more effective than public violence.”
Yet protesters across the political spectrum in South Texas are expected to be in favor of and against Trump.
Members of the GDP in Hidalgo County called “all conservatives, patriots and freedom fighters” on Facebook and Twitter to greet Trump with posters in the border area.
LUPE, a non-profit organization founded by farm worker and civil rights leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, has announced it will host a rally against Trump and white supremacy. The group criticized local officials for not having a stronger message against Trump’s visit.
‘This failure of leadership will now lead to white supremacists rallying freely in our streets. We condemn this lack of leadership. Should any violence occur on Tuesday, all public officials who did nothing to stop this visit will be held accountable for their failure to respond to community concerns, ‘the group said in a statement.
While President-elect Joe Biden has comfortably won the Latino-majority province Trump is visiting, Hidalgo County is one of the areas in South Texas where Trump has made his major improvements in the 2020 election. Trump increased his numbers there by more than 23 percent compared to 2016, but still loses by 17 percent.