Over the weekend, Antifa agitators who were counter-denouncing a small group of "Protect Texas Kids" protesters who were protesting a drag show event were dispersed by law enforcement officers from the Fort Worth Police Department.
The counter-protesters arrived at the restaurant where the Protect Texas Kids group had planned to set up their demonstration on Sunday when they were "dressed in black, wearing helmets and outer tactical vests, and many of them were armed with handguns and long guns," according to officials, according to The Daily Wire.
Through the use of citywide surveillance cameras, the FWPD kept an eye on both parties. While the department has made it clear that they respect the constitutional rights of all individuals to freedom of expression and assembly, it has also noted that
The police have stated that they are also dedicated to creating "a safe environment that respects all participants' constitutional rights, while effectively maintaining public peace and order..."
Those who choose to engage in illegal activity and assault other people will be subject to arrest and prosecution.
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," according to the police report.
Fowlkes was the one who sprayed the pepper spray on the protesters.
(1 of 2) Video of Protest Report #230030255 pic.twitter.com/HAXzEGp6xC
— Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) April 24, 2023
As the police sought to place Fowlkes under arrest, the suspect reportedly "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.”
During the time that the police were attempting to apprehend Fowlkes and Guillott, backup was brought in to help secure the area.
In response to police instructions that the counterprotesters stay on the sidewalk, "a third counter-protester, later identified as 37-year-old Meghan Grant, attempted to charge past FWPD officers multiple times in order to gain access to the Fowlkes and Guillott."
As a result of reportedly refusing to comply with the police's orders to be detained, Grant was subsequently placed under arrest.
Fowlkes was charged with evading arrest or detention, resisting arrest, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and assaulting someone to the point of causing bodily harm on four separate occasions.
Guillott was charged of assaulting a peace officer and interfering with the official operations of the government. It was alleged that Grant interfered with government business and evaded arrest in both of these instances.