City of Corpus Christi denies permit for Trump rally at Selena statue, organizer won’t shut it down
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) – The City of Corpus Christi has denied a permit for a pro-Trump rally scheduled Saturday at the Selena statue because of Gov. Greg Abbott’s order prohibiting gatherings of 10 people or more as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Organizer Joe Michael Perez, who’s expecting about 150 people, isn’t calling off the event. Instead of a rally, he’s calling it a protest, which is protected under the First Amendment.
“We have a right to peacefully assemble,” he told KTSA News. “If Black Lives Matter can go out and have demonstrations during a pandemic, then so can we.”
It was originally promoted as a pro-Trump event, but if it’s a demonstration, what is he protesting?
“We’re protesting those who are against Trump,” he said.
Perez also has been threatened with a lawsuit by Selena’s family for using her name and image to promote the event. A photo of Perez wearing a Trump T-shirt and placing a Trump hat on the Selena statue has been making the rounds on social media.
