The mugshots of eight individuals who were taken into custody after anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protesters turned violent this week have been made public by the Austin Police Department (APD).
The arrests coincided with worldwide unrest that started in Los Angeles on June 7 when demonstrations over recent ICE raids in the LA area descended into violence. Over the course of the previous weekend, agitators burned cars, threw fireworks and other objects at police, vandalized property, blocked roadways, and resisted arrest.
Other large cities around the nation are anticipating similar demonstrations and maybe violence on Saturday as a result of the LA riots.
Following protests in Austin, Texas, on Monday, the Austin Police Department (APD) stated that it “is committed to transparency and public safety and is sharing details regarding the events, officer injuries, arrests, and preparations for the days ahead.”
“APD cherishes civic participation and firmly believes in the constitutional right to peaceful protest. However, illegal behavior that endangers officers or the community will not be accepted, and such instances will be dealt with,” the APD stated in a press statement.
The Texas Capitol, which was shuttered on Monday night, was the starting point of the Austin protest. Eventually, protesters assembled at the J.J. Pickle Federal Building after moving through downtown Austin, “where individuals began defacing property with graffiti,” according to the APD.
“The gathering was dispersed by officers down 8th Street to the west. Due to the graffiti, two people were taken into custody for criminal mischief, according to the police.
According to police, tensions increased throughout the evening as agitators started hurling rocks at policemen and one individual spat in an officer’s eye.
“Officers briefly pulled back in an attempt to defuse the situation, but the throng moved forward once more. In order to protect themselves and the demonstrators, officers remained in their positions and sprayed the area with pepperballs aimed at the ground, according to the APD.
Tear gas was used to dissuade rioters from entering the federal facility by Texas Department of Public Safety officers who assisted in the response to the disturbance. While police worked to keep the gathering under control, some demonstrators tossed barricades and scooters into the streets.
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APD reported that four policemen were hurt and sent to the hospital during the rioting, and by the end of the night, they had made eight arrests. The fourth cop sustained a shoulder injury, and the other three were hit by pebbles. According to APD, they should fully recover.
Hayden Perez is charged with failing to obey a lawful order and harassing a public servant, while Conor Williams and Abigail Pore are charged with criminal mischief related to graffiti on a federal building, Alexandra Haddix with failing to obey a lawful order, Cody Bates with harassing a public official, Edgar Tovar with reckless driving, Shaneal Harun with rioting and resisting arrest, and Margarito Perez Montalvo with interfering with public duties and resisting arrest.
In response to protests, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that National Guard troops would be stationed throughout the state.
“Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation,” Mahaleris said, adding that the Lone Star state “will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles.”
