The City of Austin is prepared for a scheduled protest taking place on Saturday, June 14, on the Texas Capitol grounds. The event is expected to begin at 5 p.m. and end no later than 8 p.m.

“The Austin Police Department fully supports and upholds the constitutional right to peacefully assemble and the freedom of the press,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. “As always, our priority is to ensure the safety of all individuals present, including demonstrators, bystanders and our officers. It is the responsibility of the Austin Police Department to preserve the peace and protect life and property.”

There will be an increased presence of officers to assist with community safety and traffic management on Saturday.

Event organizers have indicated they will be making announcements throughout the protest to keep attendees informed of the agenda, anticipated ending time and important safety reminders. These announcements will also include guidance encouraging people to exit the grounds safely upon the conclusion of the event in an orderly manner.

Please note that the Capitol grounds will close promptly at 8 p.m. All attendees will need to exit the area before or at that time. Individuals are strongly encouraged to plan ahead:

• Identify a safe, reliable way to leave the area.
• Expect heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic before, during, and after the event.
• Consider shared transportation, biking, walking, or CapMetro, which will be running additional routes and extended service to accommodate increased demand.

We also want to reiterate that unlawful or violent behavior initiated by agitators will be addressed accordingly. Anyone engaging in actions that threaten public safety or target members of the community or law enforcement will be held accountable.

We are committed to working with the community, organizers, and members of the press to ensure a peaceful and safe assembly.

“I encourage and trust the people of Austin to let their voices be heard peacefully and in the right way. This is Austin. We’re passionate and have strong points of view about human rights and protecting our democracy,” Mayor Kirk Watson said. “We also have a strong tradition of gathering to express our opinions in the capital city of this state. We know how to celebrate our democracy without participating in chaos.”

For more information on the City of Austin's preparations, please view the news conference held on Thursday by Mayor Kirk Watson and Chief Lisa Davis here.