Kehoe activates Missouri National Guard as ‘precautionary measure’ for future protests
ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4) - Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced Thursday that he signed an executive order to activate the Missouri National Guard in response to planned protests about immigration enforcement.
There were protests in St. Louis Wednesday afternoon and evening regarding President Donald Trump’s immigration policy. There have been no reported injuries, arrests, or property damage from those protests.
A press release from Kehoe’s office said the decision to activate the Missouri National Guard was in reaction to “recent instances of civil unrest across the country.” Protests in downtown Los Angeles have spanned days, and the Los Angeles Police Department has arrested or detained nearly 400 people since Saturday. Trump sent 4,000 National Guard and 700 Marines there to assist with the law enforcement response.
Protestors met Wednesday in St. Louis at the Tamm Avenue over over I-64 and also near downtown. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department monitored those protesting.
Protests have been planned across the U.S. for Saturday. A parade will be held in Washington, D.C., that day in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday. Trump’s birthday is also Saturday.
The press release from Kehoe’s office did not say how many National Guard could be deployed across the state. The Missouri Department of Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and Missouri National Guard have established a central command to monitor protests on the ground.
Gabby Picard, Kehoe’s communications director, called the executive order a “preparation action.” No Missouri National Guard troops had been mobilized or deployed Thursday afternoon, she said.
In a statement in response to Kehoe’s order, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Mitch McCoy said the department “will utilize all means necessary to protect our community” and is “committed to ensuring individuals can exercise their First Amendment rights safely.”
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer also responded with the following statement:
“This weekend, I trust protesters in St. Louis to once again be peaceful, and I trust the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to be equipped to protect our community.
Under Chief Robert Tracy, the SLMPD has shown they know how to handle peaceful protest in a way that avoids escalations and protects St. Louisans’ rights to express their opinions - a fundamental value of our nation."
St. Louis County Police said the department “remains in regular communication with regional partners.”
The department continued by adding, “As always, our goal is to peaceful demonstrations while ensuring public safety. Currently, we have no indication of any elevated concerns locally.”
The St. Peters Police Department released the following statement regarding the protests scheduled this Saturday:
“The St. Peters Police Department is aware of the demonstrations scheduled for this Saturday in the City of St. Peters. Our department has experience ing public events, and we fully recognize and respect the community’s right to peacefully assemble and express their views under the First Amendment.
Previous events in our city have remained peaceful, and we anticipate this one will be as well. Officers will be present in the area to public safety, safeguard property, and uphold the rights of all individuals involved.”
First Alert 4 also reached out to the St. Louis County Executive’s Office for their reaction to the executive order.
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