Law enforcement officials with the Fort Worth Police Department shut down Antifa agitators over the weekend who counter-protested a small group of demonstrators from “Protect Texas Kids” who were protesting a drag show event.
The Protect Texas Kids group arrived at a restaurant on Sunday to stage their demonstration at the event across the street when the counter-protesters showed up “dressed in black, wearing helmets and outer tactical vests, and many of them were armed with handguns and long guns,” officials said in a statement.
The FWPD monitored both groups using city cameras. The department said that while they respect everyone’s constitutional rights to free speech and assembly, they are also focused on ensuring there is “a safe environment that respects all participants’ constitutional rights, while effectively maintaining public peace and order … those who choose to violate the law and assault others will be arrested and charged.”
During the event, “officers observed a member of the counter-protest group, later identified as 20-year-old Samuel Fowlkes, approach the ‘Protect Texas Kids’ protesters and spray them with pepper spray,” police said.
When police tried to arrest Fowlkes, he allegedly “began to evade officers and then swung his closed fists at officers who tried to stop him.”
“While the officers were attempting to place Fowlkes into handcuffs, another member from the counter-protest group, later identified as 33-year-old Christopher Guillott, interfered with officers’ efforts by swinging an umbrella at officers,” police said. “Guillott struck an officer in the face and was then placed under arrest.”
While officers tried to place Fowlkes and Guillott under arrest, backup was called to help secure the scene.
Police instructed the counter-protesters to stay back on the sidewalk, at which time “a third counter-protester, later identified as 37-year-old Meghan Grant, attempted to charge past FWPD officers multiple times to gain access to the Fowlkes and Guillott.”
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Police tried to keep Grant back, but she allegedly did not comply and was later taken into custody.
WATCH:
(1 of 2) Video of Protest Report #230030255 pic.twitter.com/HAXzEGp6xC
— Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) April 24, 2023
Fowlkes was charged with assault causing bodily injury X 4, evading arrest/detention, resisting arrest, and assault on a peace officer.
Guillott was charged with interference with public duties and assault on a peace officer.
Grant was charged with interference with public duties and resisting arrest.