Billups (LEFT) and activist Chris Seright during Billups' protest/Photo by Tom Warren
Activist and former mayoral candidate Kip Billups may soon be returning to protest on the steps of Amarillo City Hall.
According to Billups, he will be protesting what he sees as a lack of response to by the city to the alleged macing of homeless people by City Church. “Jeremy Rusk maced homeless that weren’t committing a crime,” said Billups in a Facebook post. “City Church Pastor Donnie Lane approved of this.”
Billups previously protested an Amarillo ordinance which banned camping by camping on the steps of Amarillo City Hall in 2018. According to Billups, the ordinance effectively criminalizes homelessness. Billups was eventually arrested for his protest, though he was ultimately acquitted.
Billups has now vowed to return on Wednesday, unless charges are brought in the macing case. “I only ask that he be given his day in court,” wrote Billups. “I can greet the new mayor good morning every day like I did the old one.”
Billups is the co-founder of Amarillo Brown Bag Runs, an organization which helps to feed homeless people. Billups ran for Mayor in 2019, where he earned third place.