On January 20, 2026, activists converged in San Antonio as part of the nationwide “Free America Walkout,” staging marches and rallies near the Alamo and City Hall to mark the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration. What organizers framed as a stand against ICE and “fascism” looked more like a coordinated effort to disrupt everyday life and score political points against a duly elected administration.
Locally, at least a hundred demonstrators gathered outside San Antonio City Hall and around Alamo Plaza, chanting slogans against immigration enforcement and waving signs that demanded an end to ICE operations while accusing agents of brutality. The turnout was small compared with the stakes—yet the media played up the drama as if this was a popular uprising rather than a noisy fringe.
This action was not an isolated tantrum but part of an organized national push, with groups like the Women’s March and local left-wing coalitions coordinating walkouts and protests across cities to pressure the government. These activists claim to defend liberty while openly advocating to hamstring immigration enforcement and ally themselves with radical groups who would undermine law and order.
Much of the outrage driving these demonstrations stems from tragic incidents and contested law-enforcement encounters that deserve proper investigation, including the widely cited case of Renee Nicole Good that has inflamed activists elsewhere. Conservatives can and should call for accountability where it’s due, but we also must insist that enforcing the law and securing the border are legitimate government duties that keep communities safe.
Americans who love their country should be offended when a sacred site like the Alamo becomes a backdrop for virtue-signaling and historical disrespect. Patriotism, respect for institutions, and support for law enforcement are not extremist positions; they are the foundation of a free society. The answer to cable-driven anger is not capitulation to chaos but stronger border security, clearer enforcement, and a renewed commitment to the rule of law that protects everyday Americans.
