APD responds to continued immigration protests in north Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department responded to an immigration protest in north Austin Monday night in a demonstration against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies and enhanced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, including in the Austin area.
Protesters could be seen with flags from Central American countries and signs.
At roughly 7 p.m. the Austin Police Department (APD) posted on X that they were “aware of a large group gathering near N Lamar Blvd. and Rutland Dr.” The department asked drivers to avoid the area if possible.
Just before 8 p.m., APD said the crowd had dispersed. However, KXAN’s Grace Reader was at the scene around 9:15 p.m. and said the crowd had not dispersed. APD was also on the scene around 9:20 p.m.
Then, around 9:45 p.m., APD said on social media it was again responding to a “large group of people gathering” at the intersection of West Rundberg Lane and North Lamar Boulevard.
Vehicles were seen peeling out on the road before taking off at traffic lights.
Around 10:15 p.m., officers were seen using PepperBalls to disperse the crowd. PepperBalls are projectiles that contain a powdered chemical, which is similar to pepper spray.
It comes after another local protest over the weekend outside of a possible Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility near Highway 130 and Highway 45 in Pflugerville.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, protests have led to street closures and clashes with law enforcement, according to KXAN’s partners at KTLA.
