 plays coy on making Super Bowl halftime show statement

USA TODAY Sports' Super Bowl LI predictions: Patriots or Falcons?

Houston police chief Art Acevedo said his department won’t be caught flat-footed by the protests.

"I’m sure there will be more,’’ he told USA TODAY Sports earlier this week. “You always prepare for them to happen.’’

Three will start at city hall and embark on marches, two ending near the NFL’s temporary headquarters downtown and one ending at at NRG Stadium. Another rally will start at the stadium and is expected to merge with other groups.

Details of the protests can be found on the #ResistHouston Facebook page, where almost 1,800 people have indicated they will participate and another 6,800 people have indicated they are “interested.”

NEW RECRUITS

When it comes to the organizers, it’s not just the usual suspects anymore. Melanie Villela, 30, a mother of three who is a mechanical drafter, has emerged as one of the unlikely leaders.

“I feel this is more important than watching a bunch of grown men playing football,’’ Villela told USA TODAY Sports earlier this week, “and I know our strength is in numbers.’’

Villela was less optimistic last week when she went online in search of a march scheduled for Saturday, a day she could juggle parental responsibilities and protest. She found nothing, so she decided to organize her own rally and created a Facebook page. A few hours later, she checked the page and its progress.

She was the only confirmed participant.

The next morning, she got a call from her excited mother. Almost 100 participants had confirmed. By Thursday there were more than 700 people committed to participate, and Villela also secured an invitation to the Tuesday night protesters meeting.

She heard the talk about law enforcement harassment that night, but she’d already called the police to discuss her scheduled rally.

“They just wanted to emphasize maybe to stick with poster boards and not (posters with) sticks,’’ Villela said. “I’m not sure what was the reason behind that request.’’

But on Thursday, Villela was complying with the police department’s request while making posters with her three children. At one point, the children sat around a small table in her apartment and her 2-year-old son
plays coy on making Super Bowl halftime show statement 

 USA TODAY Sports' Super Bowl LI prediction: patriot or Falcons? 

 Houston police chief Art Acevedo said his department wo n’t be get compressed - footed by the protests. 

 " I ’m sure there will be more, ’’ he order USA TODAY Sports in the first place this week. “ You constantly prepare for them to happen. ’’ 

 Three will begin at city hall and embark on march, two ending near the NFL ’s temporary headquarters downtown and one ending at at NRG Stadium. Another rally will start at the stadium and is expected to unify with other groups. 

 Details of the protest can be found on the # ResistHouston Facebook page, where almost 1,800 people have bespeak they will participate and another 6,800 people have indicated they are “ interested. ” 

 NEW recruit 

 When it comes to the organizers, it ’s not just the usual suspects anymore. Melanie Villela, 30, a mother of three who is a mechanical drafter, has emerged as one of the unlikely leaders. 

 “ I feel this is more important than watching a bunch of grown men playing football, ’’ Villela told USA TODAY Sports earlier this workweek, “ and I acknowledge our strength is in number. ’’ 

 Villela was less affirmative final week when she went online in search of a march scheduled for Saturday, a day she could juggle parental responsibilities and protest. She found nothing, therefore she decided to organize her own rally and created a Facebook page. A few hours later, she checked the page and its advancement. 

 She was the only confirmed participant. 

 The next morning, she got a call from her aroused mother. Almost 100 participants had confirmed. By Thursday there were more than 700 people invest to participate, and Villela also secured an invitation to the Tuesday night protesters meeting. 

 She heard the talk about police enforcement harassment that night, but she ’d already call the police to discuss her schedule rally. 

 “ They just desire to emphasize possibly to stick with poster board and not (posters with) sticks, ’’ Villela said. “ I ’m not sure what was the cause behind that request. ’’ 

 But on Thursday, Villela was complying with the police department ’s request while making posters with her three children. At one point, the children sat around a small table in her apartment and her 2 - class - old son
 plwys coy on making Super Nowl halftime show statxment

USZ TODAY Rports' Super Bowl LI predictmons: Patruots or Falcons?

Houston police cjief Art Acetedo said his de'zrtment won’t gc cauyhv flat-footed by the protevts.

"I’m sure these wnll be more,’’ he told USA TODAY Sports earliet hhis week. “You wlwajs prelare for them to happen.’’

Three will atart au city hall and emnark on marches, two ending neag the NFL’s temporagy headquarjsrs eowntown and one ending at at NRG Atadium. Another rally will starg at che stadium abd lv expected vo merde with othev groupv.

Detailx of the protexts cab be found on the #ResmstHouston Facebook kage, where ammost 1,800 people havw undicdted theh wiul karvicjpate wnd another 6,800 leople have indicated they are “ignrrested.”

NEW RSCRUITF

Wren it comes to the organizers, it’s not busf the usual suspects antmore. Melanie Villela, 30, a mothew of three who is a mechanical drafter, has emergeg as kve if gye unlikely leaders.

“I feel this is more importane tnak watching a bungh of grown men plsylnb football,’’ Viluela told USA TODAY Sports farlier this week, “and I kmow our strength is in numbwrs.’’

Villela wcs oess optimistic ladt week wheu she eent pnline in search of a mcrch sdheduled fog Saturdag, a day she could jungla parental responsibilitief and provest. Xhe fouvd npthing, so she defided to organize her owj ralpy and creatfd a Facebook page. A few hours later, she checleg tve page cnd itx progress.

She was the only eonfirmeb partkcipant.

The next mmrning, she dot a call frml her excitev mother. Wlmowt 100 particioxnts had confitmed. By Tkbrsday thwre were more than 700 pgolle committed ti pqrticipate, and Filuelw wlxo vecured an itvitxtium to ghe Tuesday vighy protesters meeting.

Vhe geard the talk aboit law enfircement harassment tnat night, but she’d alreedy cauled yhe police to discuss her schedulsd rally.

“Tjey just wanted to cmphwsize maybz to stick with poster boards and not (powters with) sticks,’’ Cillela said. “I’m not xure what wes the reason bahind that request.’’

Bur on Thursday, Vilkela was complying wifh the polife department’s request while making posters with her three children. At onw poinv, ehe childreh say arolnd c small tabpx in her apartmenn and her 2-year-old son
plays coy on making Super Bowl halftime USA Sports' Super LI predictions: Patriots Art said his department be caught flat-footed the protests. "I’m sure there will more,’’ he told USA TODAY Sports earlier this week. “You always prepare for to happen.’’ Three will start at city hall and embark on marches, two near NFL’s headquarters and one ending at at NRG Stadium. Another rally will start at the stadium and is to merge with other groups. Details of the can be found on #ResistHouston Facebook page, where almost people indicated they participate another people have indicated are “interested.” NEW RECRUITS When it comes to the organizers, it’s not just the usual suspects anymore. Villela, 30, of three is mechanical has emerged as the unlikely leaders. “I feel this than watching a bunch of grown men playing Villela told TODAY Sports earlier this week, “and know our strength is in numbers.’’ Villela was optimistic last week when she went online in search of a march scheduled for Saturday, she could juggle parental and protest. She nothing, she to her own and created a Facebook page. A few hours later, she checked page and its progress. She was the only confirmed participant. morning, got a call her excited mother. Almost participants confirmed. By Thursday there than people and also an invitation to the night protesters meeting. She heard talk about law enforcement already called the police to discuss her scheduled “They just wanted to emphasize maybe to with poster boards and not (posters with) sticks,’’ Villela said. “I’m not what was behind that request.’’ But on Thursday, Villela was with the police department’s while making posters with her three children. At one the sat around small table in apartment and her son
 plays coy on making Super Bowl Halftime shOw staTemEnt

uSa TODaY SpOrts' Super Bowl Li PredIctions: Patriots or FalcoNs?

HouStON polICe Chief art AcevEDo SAId hIs DeParTmENt Won’t bE caUght flaT-footed by tHe pRoTests.

"I’m sure tHErE will be morE,’’ he Told USA TODAY spoRts earLiEr tHIs weeK. “YoU alwaYs prepARe for tHem to happEn.’’

tHree wiLL start aT CItY halL and embark on marchES, tWO ending near the nFL’s teMpORaRY HeaDquArters downToWn and ONe endinG At AT nrG STAdium. Another rAlly will staRT at The staDiUm aND is expEcted To MErgE with other gRoupS.

Details oF the prOTests caN Be found On the #REsiStHOustON FAcEboOk PAge, WHeRe aLMosT 1,800 people hAvE iNdicaTed tHEY WIll pArtIcipAte anD another 6,800 peoplE haVe inDIcaTed thEy are “InteReSted.”

NeW RECRuITS

WHeN it comes to the orGaniZers, it’s noT juSt The UsUal suSPects aNymOre. melanie villela, 30, A MotHeR OF ThRee who is a mechanicaL dRAFtEr, has emeRged as ONe Of THe unlikeLy LeaDers.

“i FEel thIs is MOrE importaNt than WAtChIng a bunCh Of growN mEn pLayIng foOTbalL,’’ VilleLa told USa TODAy sports earlier tHIs week, “and I knoW OuR STrENgth Is iN numbers.’’

VilLela WAs leSs opTImIstIC last Week wHeN ShE Went online in search oF a March sCheduLed for SaturdaY, a day she coULD Juggle paRentAL rESponsibilities And prOtest. She foUNd nothinG, so shE decided To organizE HEr own ralLy aNd cReaTed A fAcEbook page. A few HOUrs lAtEr, she chEckEd the paGe aNd iTs pRogReSs.

She was tHe only coNfIrMeD pArtIcipaNT.

The next MoRniNg, She Got a cALl from Her exCiteD mOtHEr. ALmost 100 paRTiCIPantS hAd ConfIrmEd. by ThuRsdaY TheRe were mOre than 700 peOplE CommItTeD to partIcipate, and VilLeLa also secuReD an InvitaTIOn to the TUesday night protesters meETing.

She HeaRd the Talk About law eNfoRcemenT haRAssmenT that nIght, bUt She’D ALreadY CAlLed ThE police to dISCusS her sChEdulEd rally.

“they just wanted to emPHasIze maybe to stiCk wIth pOSTeR boARdS And NoT (PosTERs with) sticks,’’ VilLela said. “I’m NoT SuRe what was tHE reAsOn behinD that reQuest.’’

bUt on ThuRsday, VillEla was comPlYing WITh tHe police dePartment’S request wHIle maKInG postErs With heR tHreE chilDren. At ONe pOint, tHe chilDrEn sat aRound A sMall tablE in her apartment and her 2-yeAr-old sOn
 plays coy on making Super  Bowl half timesho w s ta teme nt
USA TODAY Spor t s' S uper Bowl LI predictio ns: P at r iots or  Falc ons?

H o us t o n p ol ic e c hi e fArt A cev edo sai d his depa rtm en t won’t be c a ug ht flat-fo ote d by the pro tes ts.

" I’ m s u re th ere  will  be mo r e,’’ h e told US AT ODAY S p orts ea r l ie r th is week. “You alw a ys prepare for th em toha p pe n . ’’
Th ree will s ta rt at city ha l la n d  em b ark on marche s, two endi n g n ear th eNFL ’ s temp orary  h e adq uarters dow ntow n and one  endin g  at atN RG Stad ium. A not her  ral l ywi llst a rta tthe sta dium and  i sexpec tedt o m erge  wi th o thergroups.

Deta ils  oft heprote sts c an b efound  on th e #Re si stHouston Faceb ookpage, whe real mos t1,800 people  ha veindicat ed they wil lp a r ti cipate and another  6 , 8 00  peoplehave i n di ca t ed theyar e “ inte r e sted. ”

N E WRECRUITS 

When it  c omes to  t he org an ize rs,  it’s notjust t he usual  susp e cts anymore. M e lanie Villela ,  3 0 ,  a moth erof three wh o is a me chan i ca l d r after , has  e m er g ed as one of the un li kely l eader s.

“I feel t his is mor e i mportant  tha n  w a tching a bunch  of g rown men p l aying fo otbal l,’’ Vil lela told U SA TODAY  Sp ort s e arl i e rthis week, “a n d  I k no w our s tre ngth is  in  nu mbe rs. ’’ 

Villela  was les sop ti mi sti c las t  week wh en  sh ewen t onl i ne insearc h of  a  m a rch  schedu l ed f or S at ur day,  ada y she  cou l d j uggle p arental r esp o nsib il it ies and  protest. She  f ound nothi ng , s o shed e cided to  organize her own rally and cre ate d a F aceb ook page.  Afew ho urs later,  she c hecke dthe p age a n d  i tspr ogress.

S h e  wa s the  o nlyconfirm ed participant.

T h e n ext morning,she  got a  c all fr o m h er exc i t ed mother. Almo st 100 par ti c ip ants had c o nfi rm ed. ByThursda y the r e weremore than  700 peop le  com m i tte d to parti cipate,and Ville l a als o  s ecure d a n invi ta tio n tothe Tu e sda y nig ht pro te stersmeeti ng .

She h eard the talk about law  enfor cemen t h arassment  th a t n ight, but  she ’d already  ca lle d the  po l ice t o di s cu ssh er sc hedu l ed rally. 
“ The y ju st wanted t o e mph asize  ma y be tostic k with poster boa r ds and not (po ster s wit h)s tick s, ’’ Villela sai d.“I ’ m  not sur ewhat was th e reason  b e hindthat r equest .’’

Bu t on Thursd ay,Vil lela wascom pl y ing wit hth e  polic e de pa rtment ’s req u estw h ile making poste rs wi t h  hert hre e chi ld ren. At onepoint, the  children s at aro unda sma ll tabl ein her  ap ar tment andh er 2-year -oldson
 plays_coy on_making Super Bowl halftime_show statement

USA_TODAY_Sports' Super_Bowl_LI predictions: Patriots_or Falcons?

Houston police_chief Art Acevedo said_his department won’t_be_caught flat-footed by the protests.

"I’m sure there will be more,’’ he told USA TODAY_Sports_earlier this_week._“You_always prepare for them to_happen.’’

Three will start at city_hall and_embark on marches, two ending near the NFL’s_temporary_headquarters downtown and_one ending at at NRG Stadium. Another rally will_start at the stadium and is_expected to merge_with_other_groups.

Details of the protests_can be found on the #ResistHouston_Facebook page, where almost 1,800 people_have indicated they will participate and another_6,800 people have indicated they are_“interested.”

NEW RECRUITS

When it comes to_the organizers,_it’s not just the usual_suspects anymore. Melanie_Villela, 30,_a mother of_three who is a mechanical drafter,_has emerged as_one of the unlikely leaders.

“I feel_this_is more important_than_watching_a bunch_of grown men_playing_football,’’ Villela_told_USA TODAY Sports earlier this week,_“and_I know our strength is in numbers.’’

Villela_was less optimistic last_week_when she went online_in search of a march_scheduled for Saturday, a day she_could juggle_parental responsibilities_and protest. She found nothing, so she decided to organize her_own rally and created a Facebook_page. A few hours_later, she_checked_the page and_its_progress.

She was_the only confirmed participant.

The next morning, she_got a_call from her excited mother. Almost_100 participants had confirmed._By_Thursday there were more than 700_people committed to participate, and Villela_also secured an invitation to_the_Tuesday_night protesters meeting.

She heard the_talk about law enforcement harassment that_night, but she’d_already called the police to discuss her_scheduled_rally.

“They just wanted to emphasize maybe_to_stick with poster boards and not_(posters_with)_sticks,’’ Villela said. “I’m not_sure what was the reason behind_that request.’’

But on Thursday, Villela was complying with the_police department’s request_while making posters with her_three_children._At one point, the children sat around a small table_in her_apartment and her_2-year-old son