On Friday, June 13, Gov. Jim Pillen declared a state of emergency, issued a proclamation warning of potential violence and put Nebraska's National Guard on standby. Pillen said it was a "precaution" based on "anticipation of anti-ICE protests." He provided no evidence of the emergency or imminent threat that his proclamation described.
We issued a media statement shortly after the proclamation calling the action exactly what it was: a grossly irresponsible move that could chill protected speech.
Fortunately, Nebraskans refused to be intimidated by the governor's messaging. That evening, Omahans participated in at least two large protests against President Trump's mass deportation agenda. The next day, thousands of Nebraskans peacefully came together in protest of the Trump administration's abuses of power in 13 cities across the state.
Media reporting confirms that the events were peaceful. We haven't heard of a single arrest at any of the protests, let alone a citation.
Mindy Rush Chipman, our executive director, had this to say:
"The governor’s job is to listen to the people he is supposed to represent, not needlessly stir up fears about protests he disagrees with. We hope he shows more respect for Nebraskans and free speech moving forward."
