Austin Braces for Weekend Protests: Mayor Warns Against Chaos Amidst Abbott's National Guard Deployment

Austin city officials are gearing up for the expected arrival of protestors this weekend, as the city is set to be a central hub for nationwide demonstrations themed "No Kings Day" in opposition to the Trump administration. 

During a press conference, Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin Police Department (APD) Chief Lisa Davis outlined the city's approach to handling the anticipated large crowds at the Texas Capitol and various other sites. This Saturday, June 14, protests dubbed "No Kings Day" are set to take place nationwide. The timing is significant, aligning with Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, and President Donald Trump's birthday, which will be celebrated with a military parade in Washington, D.C.

In Austin, the main event is scheduled to take place at the Texas Capitol from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with further gatherings in San Marcos (5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Courthouse Square) and Pflugerville (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at 2301 Kelly Ln).

Mayor Watson, addressing the recent violent occurrences at the Pickle federal building and near 7th & Congress on Monday night, called on protestors to uphold peace. "Avoid being a pawn in another's creation of disorder," Watson remarked. 

Chief Davis has stated that representatives from the APD have maintained ongoing communication with protest organizers to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful. She mentioned that APD intends to utilize drones and position officers among the crowds to spot and eliminate agitators, allowing the protest to proceed without interruption. "We will implement focused measures against certain individuals to ensure their removal from the demonstration, allowing the event to proceed uninterrupted." 

Chief Davis emphasized that this is the objective, assuring that there will be no recurrence of the 2020 events when demonstrators tried to infiltrate APD headquarters and inflict harm on the Texas Capitol.

Nonetheless, a significant issue arose concerning Governor Greg Abbott's decision to deploy more than 2,000 Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and 5,000 Texas National Guard members across the state to support local authorities. Governor Abbott, during an interview with FOX, defended the "surge" by asserting, "People are free to protest as long as they do not cause harm." Nonetheless, due to the potential for large crowds and the risk of situations escalating, we aim to ensure that we have the necessary resources prepared.

Mayor Watson expressed strong disapproval of Abbott's deployment, indicating that it "is intended, or it certainly provides, I think, or provokes fear." It seems designed to incite, or perhaps by its very essence, create disorder. Chief Davis raised concerns about the National Guard's effectiveness in managing crowds, asserting, "This community deserves well-trained police officers... when they're, again, they will not be called in by APD." 

City leaders emphasized their confidence in the residents of Austin to engage in peaceful protests and uphold order, suggesting that the presence of the Guard may be an excessive measure. Austin officials assert that, although the National Guard has played roles in border control and disaster relief, their specialized skills in handling protests do not match those of trained police officers.