DPS: 9 arrested following 'No Kings' protest in Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nine people were arrested after a “No Kings” protest that happened in Austin over the weekend, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The “No Kings” day of action happened the same day as, and in opposition to, a Washington, D.C. military parade on President Donald Trump’s birthday. Planning for the parade began two years ago and was intended to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
The protest happened at the Texas Capitol from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Once that protest was over, DPS said “demonstrators began a march through Downtown Austin, including the 46-square-block Texas Capitol Complex area, which DPS protects.”
DPS arrested the following people on various charges, as provided by the agency below:
- Andrew Joseph Alemao, 37 – interfering with public duties
- Dorian Gray, 19 – felony graffiti
- Daymon Micah Grubbs, 19 – disobeying a police officer
- Christian Deun Johnson, 24 – disobeying a police officer, providing false identification and evading arrest
- Henry T. Johnson, 23 – obstructing a passageway
- Francisco Limon Juarez, 31 – criminal trespass
- Tyrone Germane Stafford, 44 – possession of marijuana
- Brendan William Talbert, 24 – walking on roadway when sidewalks provided, felony assault of a peace officer, evading arrest and resisting arrest
- Esala Wueschner, 33 – criminal trespass
This comes after the Austin Police Department announced Monday it made three arrests following the protest. However, the agency said those numbers were “preliminary” and “may change” as it continues investigating and understanding the events that happened that day.
APD and DPS joined together to help block traffic to allow protesters to march through downtown.
“With the exception of a small number of agitators, the event remained largely peaceful,” APD said on social media Saturday.
DPS said it deployed pepper spray, PAVA powder and a Taser “to ensure officer safety and maintain order.”
