By Carmine Sabia at The Federalist Papers
Texas liberal Beto O’Rourke has not announced if he will face off against President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
But he is prepared to face off with him on Monday at the border in El Paso, Texas.
The man who was defeated by Sen. Ted Cruz said he will be in a protest opposing the president when he visits the border, ABC News reported.
The former congressman said Friday he will attend a rally in his hometown of El Paso meant to counter Trump’s appearance in the city on the same night. O’Rourke will speak at the event at 7 p.m., the same time the president takes the stage.
The O’Rourke rally, according to organizers, will “show the country the reality of the border — a vibrant, safe, binational community that proudly celebrates its culture, history, diversity and status as a city of immigrants.”
“While some try to stoke fear and paranoia, to spread lies and a false narrative about the U.S.-Mexico border and to demand a 2,000 mile wall along it at a time of record safety and security, El Paso will come together for a march and celebration that highlights the truth,” the release from O’Rourke adds, in a paper-thin veiled reference to Trump.
In less than 48 hours, we'll gather together to celebrate El Paso and tell the truth about the border. Make a plan to join us Monday evening. See you soon. https://t.co/rPsTBr0BmQ
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) February 10, 2019
Trump’s rally, his first of 2019, will take place at the larger El Paso County Coliseum, while O’Rourke will speak at the Chalio Acosta Sports Center. The two spots are just a literal stone’s throw from each other.
Both, maybe fittingly, are also right next to the El Paso Zoo.
O’Rourke attempted to knock Ted Cruz out of the Senate in last year’s midterm elections, but came up short despite a wave of national support.
Feb. 11 is four days before the deadline for Congress and the president to come to an agreement over spending, including Trump’s desired border wall, to avoid another government shutdown.
The 46-year-old O’Rourke has been candid about whether he is going to run for president in 2020. He sat down for an interview with Oprah Winfrey in New York on Tuesday in which he said he’d make a decision on running “before the end of the month.”
“For the last seven years, my family hasn’t seen me,” he said. “That’s the far more important responsibility.”
The interview is set to air Feb. 16 on OWN.
.@BetoORourke will lead a march though his hometown of El Paso, Texas, to protest a border wall at the same time Trump will be holding a rally there to promote it. https://t.co/XtQmamrLBN
#NoWall #Resist— Democratic Coalition (@TheDemCoalition) February 9, 2019
Beto O’Rourke to join anti-wall march in El Paso as Trump holds a rally for it a mile away. ’”Trump’s fixation on a border wall and his distortions of life in El Paso and along the border are unacceptable,’”march organizers wrote on a Facebook page.” https://t.co/dCelJxTbdu
— Victoria Baldassano (@VictoriaBaldas2) February 10, 2019
Monday, February 11, I will travel 3 hours to El Paso, Texas to join Beto O'Rourke in a protest to counter the Trump rally. We will join an anti-wall march by "Border Network for Human Rights" plus other groups. I have room in my car for 3 others seeking a ride.
— Alynn Hayward (@alynn_hayward) February 10, 2019
“While some try to stoke fear and paranoia, to spread lies and a false narrative about the U.S.-Mexico border…El Paso will come together for a march and celebration that highlights the truth.” We stand with all who are marching in El Paso on Monday. https://t.co/ZLQjbbfCSr
— Draft Beto (@DraftBeto) February 9, 2019
What a joke. #BUILDTHEWALL
Thanks to our good friends at The Federalist Papers for permission to republish this material.
God Bless.
