- Summary Points
- A group called “Take Our Border Back” raises more than $138,000 for an anti-migrant convoy to Texas.
- The convoy, aiming to shed light on border security issues, started from Virginia with limited turnout.
- Organizers of the convoy, referred to as “God’s army,” stress non-violent, peaceful protest intentions.
An anti-migrant group, “Take Our Border Back,” has successfully raised a significant sum exceeding $138,000 to fund its convoy journey to Texas. This initiative is part of a broader effort to draw attention to what the group perceives as the dangers posed by the U.S. Southern border’s current security status.
The convoy, which embarked from Virginia, is designed to travel through various border states before ultimately arriving in Texas. According to the group’s website, the mission is to highlight the perceived risks associated with the unsecured Southern border. The initiative has garnered extensive media coverage and increased its following substantially, as indicated by their Telegram account’s rapid growth from about 1,000 to over 3,000 members.
The funds raised are earmarked for various logistical and operational costs such as fuel, city permits, rally expenses, and communication equipment. Notably, the donations are being collected under the name “MISSION WTP HAGGAI 28,” a reference to a Biblical proverb, aligning with the organizers’ framing of their cause in religious terms.
Despite this substantial financial backing, initial footage from the convoy’s onset suggests a modest turnout. Videos posted online show only a small gathering of people and vehicles, contradicting earlier images that were later fact-checked and identified as from a previous protest in 2022.
The organizers have emphasized their commitment to peaceful demonstration, distancing themselves from the more contentious border disputes between Texas and federal authorities. They assert that their actions are grounded in the right to peaceful protest and prayer, not a call to arms.
This movement has caught the attention of MAGA politicians, with some, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, making provocative statements about the broader political implications of border security issues. Greene’s suggestion of a “national divorce” between red and blue states over such matters has sparked widespread criticism.
In summary, the “Take Our Border Back” convoy’s fundraising success reflects a growing mobilization around border security issues in the United States. While the group insists on a peaceful approach, its actions and rhetoric contribute to the ongoing, heated debate over immigration and border policy in the U.S. political landscape.