Texas Emergency Reserve facts for kids
The Texas Emergency Reserve (TER) was a private group that acted like a small army. It operated in Texas and had almost 2,500 members at its largest. In 1981, a judge in a U.S. District Court told the TER to close its training camp. This was because a Texas law did not allow private groups to have their own armies in the state.
The Texas Emergency Reserve was connected to the Ku Klux Klan, a group known for its history of racism. One important member of the Klan, Louis Beam, also had ties to the TER.
What Happened in Seabrook?
The Texas Emergency Reserve is most known for an event that happened in Seabrook, Texas, on March 15, 1981.
Intimidating Fishermen
During this event, armed members of the TER held a demonstration on a boat. They were in the water near Seabrook. Their goal was to scare Vietnamese fishermen who had recently moved to the area. These fishermen had been settled there by the government.
While on the boat, the TER members made threatening gestures toward the Vietnamese fishermen and their families who were watching. They also hung a doll, made to look like a Vietnamese fisherman, from the back of their boat. This was meant to be very intimidating.
See also
In Spanish: Reserva de Emergencia de Texas para niños
