'I believe in Austin': Mayor, Police Chief hold press conference ahead of weekend protests

AUSTIN (KXAN) — City leaders held a press conference at Austin City Hall Thursday morning about the city's preparations ahead of protests planned for the weekend.

The conference came after an anti-ICE protest on Monday. That protest ended with APD officers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arresting 13 people.

A Saturday protest, organized by Hands Off Central Texas, is scheduled as part of a national day of action. It will be held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Texas Capitol. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas National Guard will be on standby at multiple cities for those protests.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis spoke at the 10:30 a.m. press conference.

"Austinites know how to peacefully protest," Watson said. "And I have faith and trust in our Austin Police and in Chief Lisa Davis ... that she and the other officers will preserve the peace appropriately."

Watson spoke to the presence of the Texas National Guard, saying that it was not necessary and not a decision by anyone with the city.

"Please assemble, make your voices heard. But do so in a way that takes care of our city and all the people who live here. Do not become a tool of someone else's chaos," he said.

In a statement Wednesday, Watson said the city will "continue to protect the right of people to peacefully assemble," but that "destructive actions or efforts to hurt police" damage the city.

"We are dealing with a very real situation right now that impacts the lives of very real people," wrote Watson. "Adding to the chaos—through destruction of property, hurting other people, including police officers, or otherwise—adds to the problems for those people being targeted while empowering those in Washington who want more pain and chaos."

Davis said unlawful and violent action by "agitators" will "be addressed" and that APD "dialogue officers" were in talks with the organizers at the time of the meeting.

"We are prepared for protests this Saturday. You will see an increase in officers," Davis said. "Like the Mayor, I believe in Austin. I believe in our people."

She added that "as a leader, you have to have a philosophy about these issues." For her, the department's response to protests must be reasonable, disarming, focused and consistent.

"I don't want officers to have to make arrests. I don't want them to have to use force," she said. "Agitators are really good at hiding behind peaceful protesters."

For the Saturday protest, the Capitol grounds are the jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Public Safety. That agency has the authority to call in the Texas National Guard.