More than a dozen people were arrested in downtown Austin on Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott, as hundreds of people protested the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts.
The demonstration, which started at the state Capitol, was held in solidarity with protests in Los Angeles, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have arrested since last week. President Trump deployed the National Guard to LA over the weekend, further fueling anger and fear among residents.
At the start of Monday's protest, hundreds gathered peacefully in front the Capitol, sharing stories and chanting. Many held signs saying, "Hate never made America great," and "Stop ICE raids."
Organizers told protesters not to engage with police, hecklers or instigators.
"We are trying to make sure everyone gets home safe," one said.
In a tweet ahead of the demonstration, the Texas Department of Public Safety said law enforcement officers were "ready to protect the people and property of this great state."
Texas is a law-and-order state.
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS)
Today, and always, the Texas Department of Public Safety stands ready to protect the people and property of this great state.
The crowd marched from the Capitol down Congress Avenue to the J.J. Pickle federal building, which is reportedly being used by ICE as a . The front of the building was vandalized with anti-Trump graffiti.
"What’s happening in LA, that’s just wrong," Karen Williamson told KUT News. "They don’t need to have ICE showing up; they’re just living and it’s wrong. I’m 71 and this is happening again and it’s happened before. ... I have to do my best to say no. I show up every time that I can make it.�
One Austin couple from Brownsville, who did not want to give their names, said they joined the protest because they didn't want immigrants to think no one cared.
Protesters chanted, "No justice, no peace" and "We are peaceful; you are violent."
After warning the protesters at the federal building to disperse, law enforcement sprayed them with an eye irritant. Several people were seen washing their eyes and faces off after fleeing the area.
David Ochsner, a spokesperson with the Austin Police Department, said police did not deploy any tear gas at Monday’s protest and directed KUT to the Texas Department of Public Safety. KUT reached out to DPS, but has not heard back.
A KUT photographer saw Austin police officers arrest two people.
The crowd eventually left. KXAN later reported police made , where protesters were "tearing down construction barriers, scooters and other equipment" and throwing them in the street.
Around 11 p.m., that the group downtown had dispersed.
During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to deport undocumented immigrants en masse. Austin has seen some deportation activity, but not to the same level as in Los Angeles.
To protect immigrant communities, the city of Austin decided last week to end its automatic license plate reader program, in part because of concern information could be shared with ICE.
The state has taken other steps to crack down on illegal immigration. Last week, Texas agreed to end its in-state tuition policy for students without legal status.
Katya Lemus contributed to this report.
