On Saturday afternoon, the No Kings protest at the Texas state Capitol drew an impressive crowd, with over 10,000 people participating in the rally that carried a circus theme.
However, among the young adults present, particularly college-aged protesters, a prevailing sentiment echoed: “Is this it?”
Speakers, including U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and Austin City Council Member Zo Qadri, urged attendees to stay on theme and advised them to disperse before nightfall.
With Governor Greg Abbott deploying thousands of National Guard troops ahead of the gathering, tensions loomed large.
The rally followed an anti-ICE protest just days prior, which had resulted in numerous arrests and injuries amid clashes between police and demonstrators.
Amid the crowd, three themes prominently emerged: anti-Trump sentiments, opposition to authoritarianism, and calls for de-escalation.
As the event progressed, some attendees began to express restlessness.
When state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, one of the final speakers, encouraged the crowd to return home safely, chants of “Free Palestine” erupted from various points within the audience.
Zoe Goleski, a junior at the University of Texas, conveyed her mixed feelings about the protest experience.
She noted, “It was generally good – a lot of good people coming together for a good reason.
However, the demonstration felt overly centered on the speakers, who seemed placed on a pedestal, overshadowing the voices of the protesters.
A grassroots approach, she emphasized, is crucial, particularly for those communities most impacted by the issues at hand.”
Brigitte Bandit, a local drag queen and activist, led chants at the rally, prompting varied responses from the crowd.
“Protect trans people, Fuck ICE, Black Lives Matter, Free Palestine, No Kings, Yas Queens!” she rallied, seeking to unify disparate movements under a common cause.
A student involved with the Palestinian liberation and solidarity movements expressed a desire to address more complex issues inherent in the pro-Palestine movement.
“I’m here to just show up and represent as a Mexican American,” the student shared when reflecting on the significance of their participation.
Following the speakers’ closing remarks, an impromptu march ensued, with some protesters making their way to the J.J. Pickle Federal Building and others traversing Downtown Austin.
Despite some confrontations, the rally itself largely remained peaceful.
“I was scared to come out here today,” said Zena Mitchell, who donned a Trump-like cartoon costume.
“However, after Mayor Watson’s assurance of a peaceful protest, I felt a sense of comfort.
That moment reminded me of who we are as Austinites.”
Mayor Kirk Watson released a statement late Saturday evening, highlighting the peaceful nature of the assembly.
“In a significant way, folks from across our city and Central Texas made their voices heard – and did it in the right way,” Watson remarked.
He acknowledged that a few individuals chose to act selfishly, seeking attention through negative confrontations.
“I am glad they did not overshadow those who aimed to express their views appropriately,” he added in his statement on X.
During the march, predominantly composed of younger activists, chants of “Fuck the Nazis” rang through the streets of Downtown Austin.
The group eventually splintered as some gathered to dance on Congress Avenue while others passed by St. Mary’s Cathedral, where a barricade of police officers on bicycles and motorcycles stood guard.
Reflecting on the overall atmosphere, Goleski observed, “There was a huge shift from the protest on the Capitol lawn to those who marched on the streets afterward.
The passion during the march was evident, moving beyond a surface-level approach to advocating for deeper issues.”
image source from：austinchronicle
