PROTEST ADVISORY: AUSTIN, TEXAS

Groups affiliated with Antifa and Black Lives Matter are planning a counter protest to a Back the Blue rally at Austin Police Headquarters.

SIGACT: There is no particular group claiming to be lead organizer of the event. Instead, the social media post says the counter protest was created at the request of “members of the community.” The Antifa/BLM community has been active in the Austin area for over two months, even more so since the 25 July shooting death of BLM supporter Garrett Foster. While not nearly as destructive as rioters in Portland or Seattle, members of Antifa/BLM in Austin have been known to confront police, harass, private citizens, and destroy/deface public property.

SITREP:
When: 9 August at 1600
Where: Austin Police Headquarters, 715 East 8th Street
Austin, Texas, 78701

RECOMMENDATION: The group organizing the pro-police rally is called “Silent No More- We Back Our Protectors.” They are a mobile group (primarily bikers) visiting different police departments throughout Texas. Their ride begins on Saturday and concludes at APD headquarters on Sunday.

Here is the list of departments they plan to visit, from their FB page:

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Round Rock Police Department

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Pflugerville Police Department
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Wilco Sheriff's Department (Georgetown)
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Liberty Hill Police Department
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Leander Police Department
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Cedar Park Police Department
Sunday, August 9, 2020
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Hutto Police Department
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Kyle Police Department
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Buda Police Department
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Lunch provided by the American Legion Riders - Buda Post

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT! Please watch last video for protocol!

We focus on the Austin protest because it is the only location – so far- in the “Silent No More” tour that Antifa/BLM groups have talked about countering.

There is a high probability of violence at the APD event. As of the time of this writing, over 2,800 people have liked or responded to the “Silent No More” FB page. Also, many of the demonstrators are bikers, and not likely to turn away from confrontation.

The defunding of the APD and the firing of their chief, are primary goals for Antifa/BLM in Austin. As such, there have been dozens of protests around APD headquarters and Antifa/BLM will have no trouble getting a large group together to counter the “Silent No More” demonstrations.
In addition, the social media post states that they will not “allow” “pro-fascist” and “anti-BLM” groups to organize in Austin. Those statements, and others, strongly suggest the plan is to greet the “Silent No More” protests with violence.

The recommendation is, unless you are going to take part in the pro-police event, avoid APD headquarters on Sunday.

DG, AMCON SOUTH INTEL