Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe (R) has signed Executive Order 25-25, declaring a state of emergency and activating the Missouri National Guard ahead of nationwide protests planned for this weekend — including demonstrations in the Show Me State. The order, described as a precautionary measure, comes in response to recent incidents of civil unrest across the country and is intended to bolster local law enforcement efforts to maintain public safety during the upcoming demonstrations.
“We respect — and will defend — the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,” Governor Kehoe said. “While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities.”
Executive Order 25-25 establishes a Unified Command structure to coordinate the state’s response to anticipated protests this weekend. The joint effort includes the Missouri Department of Public Safety, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Missouri National Guard, tasked with monitoring and responding to potential disruptions on the ground. Kehoe emphasized the state’s commitment to addressing any instances of violence or lawlessness appropriately.
However, the order has drawn criticism from some local leaders and civil rights advocates. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (D) called the move an “unnecessary escalation,” while the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri warned that activating the National Guard could chill public dissent and infringe on First Amendment rights.
The planned demonstrations — including the “No Kings” protests scheduled for Saturday in cities like Kansas City and St. Louis — are part of a broader national response to recent federal immigration enforcement actions. Organizers say the events are intended as peaceful expressions of opposition to current immigration policies.
As the situation unfolds, state and local officials say they are working to strike a balance between maintaining public safety and upholding citizens’ rights to peacefully assemble and express their views.
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Is’nt ie amazing that nobody ever rioted ovr Obama’s “KINGDOM?”