Heavily armed protesters gather to protect Black Lives Matter demonstrators holding a rally in Austin one week after Garrett Foster was shot dead – as gun-toting members of right-wing militia group Three Percenters line up
- Austin Police are on high alert as large-scale protests get under way one week after Black Lives Matter demonstrator Garrett Foster was shot dead in the city
- Armed left-wing activists have turned out protect BLM protesters as they march through Austin’s downtown
- Members of far-right paramilitary group Three Percenters have also been seen out in the city brandishing semiautomatic weapons
- Police have bolstered their forces amid fears the opposing armed groups will clash
- Cops have also warned residents to be ‘on guard’ amid fears armed protesters could break into residential buildings
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Austin police are bracing for chaos as heavily-armed activists from rival groups face off in the city one week after a Black Lives Matter protester was shot dead.
On Saturday evening, a group of gun-toting men were seen protecting demonstrators at a makeshift memorial for Garrett Foster – the 28-year-old who was killed during a BLM march last weekend.
Across the street, camouflage clad members of the far-right paramilitary group Three Percenters stood watching on, brandishing semiautomatic weapons in an intimidating manner.
Members of another far-right group – Boogaloo Boys – were also spotted at the memorial.
Police have bolstered their forces amid fears tensions between the two groups could explode.
Black Lives Matter protester Garrett Foster (left) was shot dead last Saturday night as he marched through the city. His wheelchair-bound fiancee Whitney Mitchell (right) was with him at the time
The Austin Police Department released saying they have called in extra cops to help protect both people and property should things go awry.
‘We are bringing in the necessary staff, and have partnered with other local law enforcement agencies as we have done throughout the past few months, to allow for those peacefully and lawfully practicing their first amendment rights while also working to prevent any violence or destruction of property,’ a statement from the Department read.
Crowds paying tribute to Foster are expected to link up with a separate rally to ‘amplify Black Austin voices and demand defunding of the Austin Police Department’ which will move through the city.
Police have also issued a warning to locals living in the downtown area to be ‘on guard’ amid rumors activists could break into high-rise residential buildings and stage rallies from rooftops.
Two police helicopters were reported to be circling over the city at 8pm.
The city is on high-alert following the shocking slaying of Foster at the BLM march last Saturday night.
Army Sergeant Daniel Perry, 33, opened fire on Foster after driving into a crowd of demonstrators.
Perry claims he came across the protest by accident while working as a ride share driver, and that he only opened fire in ‘self defense’ after Foster allegedly waved his AK-47 at him.