Community Corner

Black Lives Matter Rally, March Scheduled In Austin

The event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sundaystarting with a rally at Huston-Tillotson University before a march to the state Capitol.

Protesters decrying police abuse gathered in front of Austin City Hall on May 30, stopping traffic to air their concerns.
Protesters decrying police abuse gathered in front of Austin City Hall on May 30, stopping traffic to air their concerns. (Tony Cantú/Patch staff)

AUSTIN, TX — A Black Lives Matter rally and march is scheduled on Sunday amid ongoing protests against police brutality, organizers said.

The event is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. starting with a rally at Huston-Tillotson University, 900 Chicon St., before a march to the state Capitol, according to an advisory from the Austin Justice Coalition. On a Facebook events page, some 3,400 people have indicated they would be attending the event, and another 6,800 expressed an interest in doing so.

"We refuse to let distractors take this moment/movement from us!" Austin Justice Coalition officials wrote. "This Sunday, June 7, we are gathering in the name of Black Austin, Black Lives Matter, and justice! This is something that everyone is invited to, but we will be centering this moment around black voices, black stories, and most importantly black solutions in this time! We encourage everyone to come out and listen to black people and hear what WE have to say!"

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The rally is an extension of protests sparked over the recent killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Michael Ramos in Austin. The former died after a police officer pinned his knee on his neck as he was face down on the pavement, while the latter was fatally shot by police after a brief standoff outside an apartment complex on April 24. The local incident was sparked after a caller told police Ramos was brandishing a gun, but no firearm subsequently was found.


DOWNLOAD: Know Your Legal Rights While Protesting

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DOWNLOAD: Posters You Can Print & Carry at Marches


Four officers have since been arrested for Floyd's death. In Austin, District Attorney Margaret Moore previously said a grand jury would be empaneled to investigate the death of Ramos, who was fired at by an officer as he drove away from the confrontation. Austin Police Department Chief Brian Manley vowed to release bodycam video recording the event, but the footage has yet to be released. He previously reported that no gun was found in Ramos' car or in the vicinity of the confrontation eighteen days after the incident occurred.


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Both men's deaths have been invoked as the reason for protests in Austin that began in earnest last Friday. Austin Justice Coalition previously canceled a gathering that had been scheduled last Sunday over safety concerns for participants. The Austin Police Department now is under scrutiny for overreach in handling ensuing crowds last weekend, specifically for the serious injuries sustained by a 16-year-old Hispanic teen and a 20-year-old African American protester who were both seriously injured from beanbag projectiles fired by police.

Austin Justice Coalition officials released details on Sunday's march and rally:

Campus Map/ March Route

Important things about our time on Huston-Tillotson University campus for this event:

  • Access to the event that will take place on the athletic field on Sunday, June 7 will be from Chalmers Avenue only.
  • Individuals will receive a mask upon entering the campus, which is a requirement at the Huston-Tillotston premises.
  • The campus will be closed to the public once participants depart for the march at the Capitol.

March to Capitol Route

7th to Congress, Congress to The Capitol (Map)

Parking

Things to Bring

  • A small, durable bag/backpack
  • Face mask/bandana (bring a backup mask, and extras to share if you have ‘em)
  • Water
  • Sunblock
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Hat and/or sunglasses
  • Snacks
  • Protest Sign(s)
    • Use big, bold letters that can be read easily from far away.
    • Stay on message!
    • Attach a handle to make it easier for you (strong tape & a flat wooden stick will do)
  • A change of clothes
  • Your ID
  • Mobile power bank (charging devices)
  • Emergency phone numbers & medical info
    • Write this on paper, and have it on your body (pocket, bra)
    • Include the name & number of your emergency contact(s), including emergency legal counsel if you think you might be detained
    • Include any important medical info people may need to know about you if you’re unable to tell them yourself (like asthma)
  • Medications you must take on a strict schedule (in case you are away from home longer than expected)
  • Choose glasses over contacts! (You don’t want to be exposed to tear gas or pepper spray w/ contacts in)

Know your rights, as advised by the ACLU

  • If you get stopped by police, ask if you're free to go. If they say yes, calmly walk away.
  • Individuals must receive clear and detailed notice of a dispersal order, including how much time they have to disperse, the consequences of failing to disperse, and what clear exit route they can follow, BEFORE they may be arrested or charged with any crime.
  • If you get arrested, DON'T say anything. Ask for a lawyer immediately. Don't sign anything. Don't agree to anything without a lawyer present.
  • Demand your right to a local phone call. If you call a lawyer, the police are not allowed to listen. If you call anyone else, they are likely to listen.
  • If you believe your rights have been violated, write down everything you remember, including the officers' badge and patrol car numbers and the agency they work for. Get contact information for witnesses and take photographs of any injuries.

Other Resources

Editor's note: Downloads provided separately by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).


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