Missouri governor Mike Kehoe, a Republican, has declared a state of emergency and activated the state’s National Guard. He said this is a precautionary move to prepare for possible protests in Missouri and because of unrest happening in other parts of the country.Kehoe signed an executive order, which gives the head of the National Guard, known as the Adjutant General, permission to send troops and use necessary equipment to help state and local law enforcement if needed, The Hill reported.Missouri officials have also set up a Unified Command made up of the State Highway Patrol, National Guard, and Department of Public Safety to monitor situations across the state.Governor Kehoe said the order was not meant to stop peaceful protests.“We respect, and will defend, the right to peacefully protest, but we will not tolerate violence or lawlessness in our state,” the governor said.“While other states may wait for chaos to ensue, the State of Missouri is taking a proactive approach in the event that assistance is needed to support local law enforcement in protecting our citizens and communities,” he added.Some officials and groups have criticised the governor’s action. Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas said he is concerned the state is focusing more on some protesters than others.“Mayor Lucas is concerned with enhanced state enforcement for one set of protestors, but no action or aid to local law enforcement when Neo-Nazis march through Missouri’s urban streets,” his office said in a statement.“The Mayor has confidence in responsible protestors to use their First Amendment rights peacefully and in compliance with the law. More than one thousand Kansas Citians protested peacefully and responsibly just days ago.”“For those who do not act responsibly, the Mayor stands by the women and men of local law enforcement at KCPD and other agencies to handle any necessary enforcement actions. Unnecessary escalation from our nation’s capital and state capitals undermines local law enforcement and makes all less safe.”Missouri House Minority Leader Ashley Aune also criticized the move, saying it could make the situation worse.“Governor Kehoe’s preemptive declaration of a state of emergency as Missourians prepare to protest an increasingly authoritarian presidential administration is a blatant attempt to intimidate and suppress First Amendment rights,” she said.“The protests planned this weekend across Missouri and throughout the nation were sparked by the president’s unwarranted and heavy-handed military response to opposition to his policies. By doing the same, the governor will only heighten tensions and increase the possibility of conflict. Governor Kehoe should staunchly defend the rights of Missourians, not mimic the authoritarianism of the president.”The American Civil Liberties Union also condemned the governor’s action.“Governor Kehoe’s decision to activate Missouri’s National Guard serves as an unnecessary provocation to thwart public dissent,” the ACLU said.“The right for people to join in protests or peaceful assembly is core to the First Amendment, and critical to a functioning democracy. Government and law enforcement officials have the moral and constitutional responsibility to stop the escalation, practice restraint, and allow Missourians to exercise this foundational right.”“It is critical that Missourians who plan on attending know and educate others of their rights around protests and police interactions,” the statement continued. “We emphasise attendees to prioritize de-escalation, even in moments of governmental provocation and fear-mongering, and to lookout for one another.”Mayor Lucas also posted on social media after California Senator Alex Padilla was handcuffed at a press conference.“One of our few Latino senators tries to ask a question of a cabinet secretary over whom he has oversight responsibility, and is placed in handcuffs on the ground. Shameful,” he wrote.Other officials supported the governor’s move. US Representative Mark Alford said Missouri would not tolerate riots.“We support the first amendment right of every Missourian to peacefully demonstrate, but violence and riots will NOT be tolerated in the Show Me State,” he said.Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey also praised Kehoe for acting early.He thanked the governor for “taking preemptive measures to ensure the lawlessness we’ve seen across our country does not reach our state.”In California, protests have been growing after President Trump sent thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to Los Angeles in response to opposition to his immigration policies.