Austin anti-ICE protests: City prepares for planned demonstrations

Austin city leaders make plans for No Kings protest

The City of Austin is preparing for a large number of people to take to the streets this weekend as part of nationwide anti-ICE protests.

AUSTIN, Texas - The City of Austin is preparing for many people to take to the streets this weekend as part of nationwide anti-ICE protests.

With news of the planned protests in Austin, Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis are holding a press conference to discuss city preparations.

Watch the full press conference below:

FULL: Austin prepares for anti-ICE protests

With news of planned protests occurring this weekend in Austin, Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis held a press conference to discuss city preparations.

Austin city leaders prepare for protests

What they're saying:

On Monday night, protesters became violent at the Pickle federal building as well as near 7th & Congress. On Thursday, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson urged those planning to be at Saturday’s protest at the Texas Capitol to not make it a repeat performance.

"Do not become a tool in someone else's production of chaos," said Mayor Watson.

Austin protests lead to several arrests

The anti-ICE protest over the last 24 hours has led to more than a dozen arrests and vandalism in downtown Austin. The organization that led the protest and local law enforcement spoke out about the chain of events

Watson was joined by Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, who said representatives from APD have been meeting with protest organizers to coordinate how to keep things peaceful.

"We'll remain in contact with them throughout the protest as well," said Chief Davis.

Police escorts will be made available, according to Chief Davis, if the protest moves away from the capital grounds. She also said drones will be in the air, officers will be in the crowd, and both will be looking for agitators.

"We're going to have targeted enforcement into those people and remove them from the protest and allow this protest to continue on. That's the goal," said Chief Davis.

Dig deeper:

Chief Davis promised there would not be a repeat of 2020.

Protesters, five years ago, tried to break into APD headquarters and also caused damage to the Texas Capitol building after storming the grounds. The incidents in Austin and incidents like the riots in LA prompted a response from Governor Greg Abbott. He announced the deployment of more than 2,000 troopers and 5,000 Texas National Guard members across the state to help local authorities.

In a FOX News interview, Gov. Abbott justified what he described as a "surge."

"People are free to protest if they don't harm anything. However, because of the possibility, because the size of the crowds could grow large, because things could get out of control, we want to make sure that we have the assets in place where we're going to be able to quickly respond. It does not do any good to have the National Guard not deployed and have a city catch on fire, have crime and chaos break out, and take a day or two to get them there," said Gov. Abbott.

Gov. Abbott on Texas National Guard deployment

Texas Governor Greg Abbott talks about the deployment of the National Guard in response to planned anti-ICE protests across the state.

Mayor Watson criticized Abbott’s guard deployment.

"I think it is intended, or it certainly provides, I think, or provokes fear. And I think it’s intended to, or provoke by its nature, chaos," said Mayor Watson.

Chief Davis questioned the guard's capabilities to handle a protest. Her doubts come despite the Guard’s current crowd control work on the border and past deployments into natural disasters.

"These are people that come in for the weekend, they get college money, they come, and they serve their country and that's a fantastic thing. But this community deserves well-trained police officers, a community, and respect. And that's what we have. So when they're, again, they will not be called in by APD," said Chief Davis.

In saying the Texas Guard deployment isn’t necessary, Mayor Watson added, he trusts the people of Austin to protest peacefully on Saturday.

What is the No Kings protest?

The backstory:

Several protests are planned in the Austin area and around the country on Saturday, June 14, against the Trump administration, according to the group "No Kings."

No Kings has called for several protests across the country on Saturday, June 14.

Austin protests lead to several arrests

June 14 is Flag Day, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army, and President Donald Trump's birthday. A military parade to celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Army will be held in Washington, D.C. on Friday.

Gov. Greg Abbott posted that he will deploy National Guard troops in the state to help deal with the protests.