AUSTIN, Texas — Protesters took to the streets of Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and Houston over the weekend to condemn nationwide immigration raids carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The rallies were in solidarity with similar protests in Los Angeles, where police used tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bangs against crowds. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard and U.S. Marines in response, a move that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott applauded in a post on X Sunday.
The nationwide ICE raids are part of Trump’s sweeping efforts to detain and deport migrants.
Austin
Hundreds of protesters participated in a largely peaceful march from the Texas Capitol to the J.J. Pickle Federal Building on Monday evening.
The rally was organized by the Austin chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
It began around 7 p.m. and organizers ended the rally just after 8 p.m. Police shot pepper spray and tear gas into some crowds that continued marching, the Texas Tribune reports.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a news conference on Tuesday that officers used pepper spray balls and state police used tear gas when protestors began trying to spray paint the J.J. Pickle Federal Building. Davis said demonstrators then began throwing objects at the police barricade.
Four officers were injured, three of them by "very large" rocks thrown at them by demonstrators and one hurt their shoulder while making an arrest, according to Davis.
The Austin Police Department (APD) arrested eight people, and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested several more.
The Texas Department of Public Safety released this statement regarding the protest:
"While we do not discuss operational specifies, DPS collaborates with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our citizens and state property, as well as to protect individuals exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and free speech. As with any incident response, the department adjusts its operations, including personnel and resources, as needed to address potential and emerging threats," the statement read. "Texas is a law-and-order state. DPS will continue monitoring future events and their impact on public safety across the state, and we stand ready to protect the people and property of the great state of Texas."
The department said it deployed tear gas and pepper ball projectiles "to ensure officer safety and maintain order." DPS officers arrested four people on charges including felony criminal mischief and resisting arrest.
According to Abbott, a total of over a dozen protesters were arrested by both Austin Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety officers.
Davis said APD is prepared for more protests on Saturday.
Dallas
Also on Monday evening, about 400 people in Dallas held a similar rally at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in downtown Dallas at 7 p.m.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the event started off peacefully until some took to the streets and were confronted by police. There were multiple reports of protesters being pepper sprayed by police and at least one person was detained.
Hundreds also rallied in San Antonio and Houston over the weekend.
