Other Factions Relieved Siege Over Working Toward Vote To Make Texas An Independent Nation
The head of one Republic of Texas faction said Saturday’s peaceful end to a standoff with Richard McLaren’s group will let his group get back to the business of making Texas an independent nation.
“Now, we can get on with being 100 percent of the people, by the people, for the people,” said David Johnson, leader of one of three factions of the separatist group that claims Texas was illegally annexed to the United States.
“This is a great day for the Republic of Texas because we’ve got that out of the way. Now, we can go and get the vote.”
Johnson’s faction was meeting Saturday in Houston when word came that McLaren, the self-styled ambassador of the Republic, had surrendered, ending a weeklong armed standoff.
Johnson, an Odessa travel agent, said he expected that within two years the group could present a constitution for a statewide vote to make Texas an independent nation. He plans a grass-roots effort through town meetings to talk to Texans.
He said the Republic of Texas is nonviolent but members like McLaren have tarnished its image.
“The Republic of Texas that we see out in the hills with Richard McLaren is not the Republic of Texas we first heard about,” Johnson said. “He’s basically on a Lone Ranger mission.”
Robert Kesterson, the secretary of state for another Republic of Texas faction, said he was relieved by the standoff’s peaceful end.
“I don’t know what they worked out, but anything that got them out alive is all right with me,” he said.
Kesterson claims his group is the original Republic of Texas since it traces its beginnings to a December 1995 convention.
Since then, the group has split into three, although Kesterson says the groups have a common goal. The movement is seeking independence because they believe the state illegally was annexed in 1845.
Johnson claims to be president, saying he was elected last November. He said both Archie Lowe and McLaren were stripped of their Republic of Texas offices.
Republic of Texas member Sandra Escobar, one of 200 people attending Saturday’s meeting, echoed others’ relief at the surrender.
“I am so glad that it is not a bloodbath out there,” she said.