This story has been updated with additional comment from the Dallas Police Department and Dallas County Democratic Party.
Democratic Party officials in North Texas say a white supremacist group might be planning a conference this weekend in Dallas and McKinney. The news was first reported by the Dallas Morning News.
The paper reported that Dallas police were aware of the marketing materials for a possible march.
The Signal has reached out for comment from the Dallas Police Department, asking, “Are you investigating the potential for activities, planning an increased vigilance, or taking any additional precautions, given what happened in El Paso two weeks ago? Have you been in touch with AIM?”
AIM refers to the name of the white supremacist group, American Identity Movement, party officials have warned about. AIM is formerly known as Identity Evropa, which helped organize the 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA that killed a woman.
“There has not been any permits requested from the organizers mentioned, nor have they reached out to the department,” the police department said in an email statement following The Signal’s request. “However, the Dallas Police Department will not interfere with a lawful and peaceful assembly of any individuals or group expressing their first amendment rights. Dallas officers have work[ed] security for these types of events and are available to address any safety concerns.”
The department’s statement is consistent with the law, Dallas County Democratic Party chairwoman Carol Donovan told The Signal. “However, the key words in their statement are ‘lawful and peaceful.’ Unfortunately, AIM has a reputation for violence, so it may be necessary for the police to become involved in order to protect the citizens of our community. We pray that no police officers are harmed.”
This a developing story and will be updated.
