AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Association's president is inviting local leaders to a planned protest in front of the Austin Police Department's headquarters on Thursday.
APA's president Ken Casaday has invited Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Council Members, City of Austin Public Safety Commissioners, and Director of Office of Police Oversight to join him and other officers at the “Tell Us His Name Now! Protest the Austin Pig Department!” protest hosted by the Mike Ramos Brigade.
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"The Austin Police Association cordially invites you to join the hard-working, dedicated women and men providing public safety for the City of Austin on Thursday (6/4/2020) at 6 PM for the announced protest at the APD Headquarters (715 E. 8th Street)," a press release from the APA stated.
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The APA says that members would appreciate the presence of local leaders so that they may get a "fresh perspective of the protest in an effort to better understand tactics used in handling peaceful protest and potentially those tactics used in the response to violence in the case the event changes from a peaceful assembly to one of violence and criminal conduct."
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The association has also asked those local leaders who plan to attend the protest to RSVP so that they may find protective gear for each attendee if they so choose to wear it.
"We hope your physical presence will promote an environment for protestors to express their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of their grievances, without it devolving into a violent riot, opportunity for looting and destruction of our City," the press release stated.
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Pickup drives around barricades towards crowd of protesters
Frightening moments for protesters outside Austin Police Department headquarters as the pickup truck sped towards the crowd. FOX 7 Austin's Tierra Neubaum has details.
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