Protesters from right, left converge at Capitol
AUSTIN -- A steady loop of bells and sirens sounded in front of the Texas Capitol on Saturday afternoon as leftist groups tried to drown out the speeches of their conservative counterparts, who came to protest political violence and defend their First Amendment right to free speech.
During the 3½-hour rally, the opposing groups hurled insults and threats at each other, and at times became confrontational, causing several people to be detained by police.
The event, called the March Against Far-Left Violence, was organized in Austin by Texans United for America, a group that has held several rallies in the city in support of President Donald Trump.
It was held in conjunction with sister rallies across the country Saturday, including in Boston, Los Angeles and Charleston, W.Va., in response to recent violence that occurred in Portland, Ore., on June 30 at a right-wing group’s rally, in which several people were injured by projectiles when the event turned into a riot between clashing groups.
Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/local/today-groups-plan-opposing-rallies-texas-capitol/v9lVaho4u2oVYjC7GV8KKN/
