AUSTIN, Texas -- Protests and demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd's death have been ongoing across the country since late May. In Austin, they’re not going to slow down any time soon. 

What You Need To Know


  • New group, PEACE Austin, dedicated to protesting for 30 days

  • In response to police brutality and seeking social justice 

  • Group typically protests at APD headquarters, Capitol building or Austin City Hall

  • Members say they are interested in building rapport with Austin police 

A group identifying itself as PEACE in Austin went from an idea to a group of thousands in the matter of a few days. The name stands for Protest, Educate, Admit, Change, and End racism. 

They now make it a point to mobilize somewhere in downtown Austin every day with the goal of protesting police brutality and fighting for social justice for at least 30 days in a row. Ask anyone demonstrating downtown if they’re with a group and you may be pointed in the direction of Montreal Green.

“I feel like I’m finding more of myself in this,” Green said.

Green is from Dallas and graduated from Texas Southern University in Houston. He has been in Austin for less than a year for a new job opportunity. 

“I’ve been looking for outlets but I didn’t know who to connect with. This has allowed me to connect with the police chief, the assistant police chief, so they can have the ability to find some kind of peace with the citizens. And then I’m connecting with the citizens so we can keep this going,” Green said. 

On most days, Green meets up with other leaders or administrators of the PEACE in Austin group in the late afternoon in preparation to demonstrate and, usually, march anywhere between APD headquarters, the Texas Capitol, or Austin City Hall. 

Members of PEACE Austin protest at Austin Police Department headquarters in this image from June 2020. (Agustin Garfias/Spectrum News)

At headquarters, police officers mingle with the group, which Green says has been vital in its efforts to keep demonstrations peaceful. On June 1, some officers marched arm in arm with protesters.

“They marched with us that one day just to calm us down. They thought that was it; that wasn’t it,” Green said. “The police that patrol any city need to know all the people in their community.”  

Green says the goal is, after all, to build a long-term relationship with the police department and create outreach between APD and citizens.

In order to maintain the goal of protesting 30 days, Green says their relationship with police also helps officers know who is with PEACE in Austin and who may be attempting to escalate a situation.

Green’s apartment lease is almost up and he wasn’t sure whether he was going to stay in Austin, but this new movement has become a priority for him. He’s made new friends on both sides of the issue and wants Austin to set the example for the state and the nation when it comes to police reform. 

A member of PEACE Austin speaks with an Austin police officer in this image from June 2020. (Agustin Garfias/Spectrum News)