AUSTIN (Nexstar) — A traveling convoy journeying across the nation toward the southern border made a stop in Dripping Springs Thursday to hold a rally, in which organizers and speakers conveyed mixed messages regarding their goal.
This journey is part of a national call to action that is taking participants to several border locations — including outside of Eagle Pass; Yuma, Arizona and San Ysidro, Calif. The organization is extending an invitation to “law-abiding, freedom-loving Americans, veterans, Mama Bears, elected officials, business owners, ranchers, truckers, bikers, and active and retired law enforcement and military.”
Throughout the Thursday pep rally, speakers had mixed messages about what the goal of the convoy was. Several speakers and those in attendance said they were going down to the border to pray, while others took a more confrontational approach.
Musician Ted Nugent and former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin made special appearances, both who slammed the federal government for what they view as a lack of action on border security.
“It’s treasonous what our own federal government is doing to us. It’s actually sanctioning an invasion, a foreign invasion across our border,” Palin said.
At one point in his speech, Nugent referred to President Joe Biden as a “devil scum snake,” which drew loud cheers from the crowd.
Roughly 500 people were in attendance, according to a security guard at the event. The rally began around 5 p.m. Thursday at the One Shot Distillery and Brewery. The convoy arrived in Central Texas late Wednesday.
Several speakers emphasized to the crowd that their intent was a “peaceful” gathering.
A significant portion of the group identified themselves as “God’s Army.” The group commenced their journey in Virginia, however, participants have been joining from various locations across the nation. They plan to head toward the southern border at 10 a.m. Friday.