Open Carry Texas Returns to Odessa for a Peaceful Protest

ODESSA, TX – Open Carry Texas held their second peaceful protest Saturday. This time no one was arrested.

As previously reported, on May 5, the Ector County Sheriff's Office received a call from a member of the media regarding a group of people inside a bar dressed in M.A.S.H. with body armor and possible automatic weapons. When deputies arrived they found Bid Daddy Zane's filled with members of the open carry group "Open Carry Texas." Here is the original story: WATCH: SWAT Called In After Armed Group Protests Inside Sports Bar

Eight suspects were arrested during the incident. Wyatt Winn, 23, Jesse Semrad, 36, Carlo O'Brien, 20, Joshua Watt, 31, Anthony Elden, 24, and Brandon Burney 21, have been charged with carrying weapons where they are prohibited. Trinity Jackson, 31, has been charged with interference. Gabrielle Ellison, 47, has been charged with violation of emergency management plan.

Sheriff Griffis explained in a press conference that the six men charged with prohibited weapons charges were due to them having weapons inside of an establishment that sells alcohol. The owner of the bar Gabrielle Ellison was arrested for opening the doors to the bar despite it being prohibited by Governor Abbott because of the Coronavirus. 

After hearing of this, OCT Vice President David Amad posted a video on the OTC Youtube claiming they would bring 150 men to Odessa to protest. Click here to check out the video. 

Then on June 7 OCT returned to Odessa and held a peaceful protest outside of the bar. The ECSO shut down the road leading to the bar to ensure the safety of the citizens. 

According to CBS 7 the protest was later moved to the ECSO. The protest remained peaceful the entire time.