When a Biden campaign bus was followed by a "Trump Train" on a Central Texas highway last year, multiple bus passengers fearing for their safety asked San Marcos law enforcement for an escort. A lawsuit states police refused to help. texastribune.org/2021/10/29/tru…
Transcribed recordings and documents filed as part of the lawsuit late Friday apparently show that San Marcos law enforcement leaders declined to provide the bus with an escort multiple times, even though police departments in other nearby cities did.
The incident involved at least one minor collision and led to Texas Democrats canceling three scheduled campaign events. The amended lawsuit also claims law enforcement officers “joked about the victims and their distress.” texastribune.org/2021/10/29/tru…
In one transcribed recording, a San Marcos police corporal on duty the day of the incident refused to provide an escort when recommended by another jurisdiction.
“We will ‘close patrol’ that, but we’re not going to escort a bus.” texastribune.org/2021/10/29/tru…
A 911 dispatcher told a campaign staffer to call back if they felt threatened. The staffer said Trump supporters had already threatened their life “on multiple occasions with vehicular collision.” The dispatcher repeated there would be no police escort. texastribune.org/2021/10/29/tru…
The confrontation between the Biden bus and the Trump supporters made national news after it was captured on video in October 2020, when polls showed a tight race in Texas between the two candidates. Trump later praised his supporters’ behavior. texastribune.org/2020/10/31/bid…
The lawsuit alleges that by refusing the help, law enforcement officers violated the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 because they were aware of “acts of violent political intimidation” but did not take appropriate steps to prevent it. texastribune.org/2021/10/29/tru…
Former state Sen. Wendy Davis is among the four plaintiffs in the lawsuit. The new complaint also expands the number of people and entities being sued to now include the city of San Marcos itself. texastribune.org/2021/06/24/tex…
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