Protesters gather at Capitol, Austin police HQ for fifth day of demonstrations

Wednesday midnight update: Public demonstrations against police brutality and racial violence continued in Austin on Tuesday for a fifth day.

Protesters rallied with signs in front of the Austin Police Department headquarters and the Texas State Capitol throughout the afternoon and evening.

AUSTIN PROTESTS: Read the Statesman’s complete coverage here

Demonstrations sparked last week after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis while in police custody, drawing thousands to the streets across the country. Protesters in Austin have also taken aim at Austin police after an officer fatally shot 42-year-old Michael Ramos in April.

Protesters on Tuesday expressed anger at Austin police. Police Chief Brian Manley on Monday said officers seriously injured two people during the weekend’s protests.

Around 9:30 p.m., KVUE reported that protesters at the Police Department headquarters were alerted when a pick up truck drove recklessly close to where protesters were rallying.

Richard Ham, who is black and said he had attended protests in Austin since Saturday, said he understands the anger of many people in the African American community though he did not support the violent acts reported over the weekend.

"While a lot of people are here due to what happened with George Floyd, I think a lot of people are also just fed up with the combination of a lot of events and the systematic racism and injustice that has been going on for centuries and decades," he said.

"People have protested peacefully, and we're still going through the same things," Ham added. "So it gets to a point where, obviously, that is not working."

Avery Calvin said he, like Ham, prefers peaceful protesting, adding that he thinks looting and damaging property could hurt the chances of achieving real change.

Calvin, who is also black, said he sees inequality manifest even in how law enforcement has responded to the recent protests led by the black community.

"When black people go out and they want to actually protest about something happening right now, (police) try to oppress it; they shoot tear gas, rubber bullets at people. It's not right," Calvin said.

Austin resident Quannie Bouyer said she had been to many of the protests and marches against police brutality and racism in Austin.

Bouyer said she was happy to see people of different ethnicities and backgrounds supporting the protests.

Bouyer said she was the godmother of Draylen Mason, the 17-year-old who was killed in the 2018 Austin bombings.

"First, I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me," Bouyer said. "I stand here to represent my godson who is already in heaven. I stand here on behalf of my sons, and my friend's sons. So we stand in hopes of solidarity."

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