Austin, TX

‘No Kings’ protest returns to Austin. What to know Saturday

Published

2 months ago

October 18, 2025

‘No Kings’ protest returns to Austin. What to know Saturday

Protesters demonstrate against President Trump at the No Kings protest at the Capitol in Austin, Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

A “No Kings” protest is set to take place in Austin on Saturday, part of a nationwide day of demonstrations against what organizers describe as growing authoritarianism and threats to democracy. The Austin rally — expected to draw tens of thousands — will begin at 2 p.m. at the Texas Capitol before a march to Auditorium Shores for speeches, music and coalition tabling.

Gov. Greg Abbott has again ordered state troopers and Texas National Guard soldiers to Austin ahead of the protest, calling the planned demonstrations “Antifa-linked” despite their sponsorship by groups like the ACLU, League of Women Voters and Sierra Club.

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Abbott said the deployment was meant to deter “violence and destruction,” though similar protests in June — when he sent 5,000 Guard members and 2,000 DPS officers, roughly one-fifth of the state’s military force — were largely peaceful and saw few arrests.

The “No Kings Day” protest returns to Congress Avenue near the intersection with 9th Street in downtown Austin on Saturday. Here, the protest was temporarily stopped from proceeding to the J.J. Pickle Federal Building by State Troopers and the Austin Police Department.

Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman

What does ‘No Kings’ mean?

The No Kings Day of Action is organized nationally by Indivisible, a network of progressive groups formed in opposition to the Trump administration, and supported locally by Hands Off Central Texas — a coalition-building organization that helps connect people to labor unions, nonprofits and community organizations.

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The rally’s theme — “In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings” — is meant as a rebuke to what organizers call “chaos, corruption and cruelty” in state and national politics. The local event will feature more than 50 community organizations and union chapters, including the League of Women Voters, AFSCME, and the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Sophia Mirto, president of Hands Off Central Texas, who organized the protest, said the movement is about protecting democratic freedoms amid growing fear and apathy.

“The very moment that an American is afraid to use their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights is the moment where our democracy is at risk,” she said.

‘No Kings’ protest in Austin schedule

Saturday’s protest will follow this schedule:

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2:00 p.m. — Assemble at the Texas Capitol for opening remarks
2:30 p.m. — March to Auditorium Shores
3:00–5:30 p.m. — Rally and performances at Auditorium Shores, with tables, food trucks and volunteer signups

Speakers include U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Austin City Council Member Chito Vela, veteran Greg Stoker, and Mirto. Local artists such as Guy Forsyth, Robert Ōzn and the Austin Raging Grannies will perform.

Protesters march the streets of Austin after the “No Kings Day,” protest at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Austin. Thousands gathered to decry the Trump administration as part of a nationwide protest.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

DPS, Texas National Guard on standby

Abbott’s office said the Department of Public Safety’s Homeland Security Division is monitoring protests statewide and coordinating with local police to arrest anyone who engages in violence or property damage.

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The governor framed the deployment as a precaution to protect public safety, saying Texas will use all necessary resources to deter criminal activity during the demonstrations.

While Abbott said the protests were linked to Antifa — a group recently designated a domestic terror group by the Trump administration — he did not provide evidence connecting the rally to the group. Organizers have rejected that claim, describing the event as permitted, nonviolent and coordinated with local agencies.

Mirto called the state police deployment unnecessary and wasteful.

“It’s always disappointing to see frivolous tax expenditures from the governor when Texans need public transportation, expanded health care, affordable housing, and aid after July’s devastating floods,” she said. “Spending tax money on extra policing for a nonviolent First Amendment protest is a concerning use of our tax dollars.”

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The group’s website calls the deployment “unrequested” and urges the National Guard to focus on disaster response, not monitoring civic events.

Organizers said No Kings is a nonviolent movement whose participants are trained in de-escalation. They said the expected DPS and Austin police presence should protect demonstrators’ rights, not intimidate them.

Protester Andres Teran gives a flower to an Austin police officer during the No Kings protest against President Trump in downtown Austin, Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman

Can you get fired for attending a ‘No Kings’ protest?

As the No Kings rally approaches, some Texans are asking: Could my boss fire me for showing up?

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Online discussions show growing concern among government workers after Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for heightened security around the event.

Public employees — including teachers, city workers and state staff — have limited First Amendment protections. They can attend protests on their own time if acting as private citizens, but those rights don’t cover actions that disrupt government operations or violate workplace policies.

Most can legally join peaceful demonstrations off the clock, though they risk discipline if participation interferes with their job duties or breaches workplace conduct rules.

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For organizers like Mirto, that fear itself signals what’s at stake.

“The very moment that an American is afraid to use their constitutionally guaranteed civil rights is the moment where our democracy is at risk,” Mirto said. “The fact that people are afraid of speaking out against the government tells us that we are no longer living in a free country.”

Carmen Vazquez, from Dallas, holds up a Mexican flag during the “No Kings Day,” protest at the Texas Capitol on Saturday, June 14, 2025 in Austin. Thousands gathered to decry the Trump administration as part of a nationwide protest.
Aaron E. Martinez / American Statesman

Mirto said the rally is a permitted, nonpartisan and nonviolent event meant to connect residents with civic and community groups, not incite confrontation. She urged anyone who feels pressured or threatened by an employer over their participation to contact the ACLU, which provides free legal guidance on protest and First Amendment rights.

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For private-sector workers, Texas’ at-will employment law means employers can generally fire staff for any reason, as long as it doesn’t violate anti-discrimination or whistleblower protections. No state law shields political activity outside of work, so most private employees could be disciplined for attending a protest their employer opposes — though such actions are rare and often draw public backlash.

Legal experts note that the First Amendment protects individuals from government limits on speech, not from actions by private employers. As the ACLU explains, “The First Amendment protects you from government censorship, but not from censorship by private organizations or individuals.” The national ACLU adds: “While the First Amendment applies only to state action, the values that animate our right to free speech and free association apply to all of us, regardless of where we work.”

Organizers say that fear shouldn’t keep people from exercising their rights.

“It’s very much now or never on using your First Amendment rights,” Mirto said. “If we’re not loud enough and organized enough now, I shudder to imagine a country where people lost their rights because they were too afraid to use them.”

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Hands Off Central Texas also notes that those who can’t or prefer not to attend in person can still participate by donating, volunteering, or joining post-event organizing drives.

What to expect at the ‘No Kings’ protest in Austin

Organizers say the Austin No Kings rally will be large but orderly, with tens of thousands expected between the Capitol and Auditorium Shores. Participants are encouraged to prepare for long hours outdoors and large, festival-sized crowds.

Austin Police mounted officers do crowd control at the No Kings protest in downtown Austin, Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Attendees are advised to hydrate the day before and bring water, snacks, cash, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. They should also set a meeting spot with friends in case cell service drops — which organizers say is likely in a crowd this size.

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The protest is permitted by both the Texas State Preservation Board and the Austin Parks Department, with volunteer medics, legal observers and de-escalation monitors on site.

Organizers say No Kings is a nonviolent movement, and weapons are prohibited — even those otherwise legal.

They also cautioned attendees about heightened immigration enforcement risk on Capitol grounds, which fall under Department of Public Safety jurisdiction. Those concerned are urged to join the event directly at Auditorium Shores.

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Future organizing events

Mirto said Hands Off Central Texas plans to continue organizing beyond the protest, with events such as book clubs and art shows to engage a broad range of participants. She described the group as a “big-tent” movement open to anyone concerned about community safety, regardless of political background.

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Austin, TX

Texas football CB opts out of Citrus Bowl vs Michigan

Published

1 hour ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

Texas football CB opts out of Citrus Bowl vs Michigan

A Texas spokesperson told the American-Statesman that Guilbeau will not participate in the Longhorns’ Citrus Bowl matchup against Michigan on Dec. 31.

With Guilbeau opting out, the Texas secondary is now down two players who started for most of the regular season. All-American safety Michael Taaffe will also be skipping the Citrus Bowl in order to prepare for the draft.

A native of Port Arthur, Guilbeau is out of collegiate eligibility, leaving the professional ranks as the only route to extend his playing career.

Guilbeau, listed at 6-foot, 183 pounds, started the first 10 games of the season for the Longhorns as a corner before Texas largely replaced him with younger talent. He finished the season with 40 tackles and an interception.

Guilbeau has contributed for the Longhorns since his freshman season in 2021, appearing in 43 games throughout his career. His versatility could appeal to NFL teams. Guilbeau spent the 2024 season as the Longhorns’ primary slot corner before moving out wide.

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Austin, TX

WebJi® Expands 20+ Years of SEO Expertise to Serve Austin, TX Businesses, Focusing on Local SEO

Published

13 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

WebJi® Expands 20+ Years of SEO Expertise to Serve Austin, TX Businesses, Focusing on Local SEO

Global SEO Agency now offering deep-dive Audits, AI Ranking SEO, and Business Profile Optimization to local Austin companies seeking measurable digital growth on major search platforms.

AUSTIN, TX – December 17, 2025 – WebJi®, a leading SEO Agency with over two decades of international experience, has officially announced its expansion of service offerings to the Austin, Texas market. This strategic move brings WebJi®’s proven, remote-first strategies for digital growth to Austin’s local businesses and growing brands. The agency’s main goal is simple: to help companies show up higher in search results. This is achieved by fixing complex Technical SEO problems, growing qualified local traffic, and driving more real customers to client websites across the Austin area.

Solving the Visibility Problem for Austin Businesses

Many local businesses in the Austin area struggle to get noticed online. Their websites often face issues like slow loading speeds, poor user experience, or code that is unclear for the search engine robots. When these technical problems exist, the business cannot rank high in search results, even for customers searching nearby.

The WebJi® team addresses this core problem remotely and effectively. They start with a thorough study of the client’s website, the market, and key local competitors. From this analysis, WebJi® creates a clear, customized SEO plan. This plan is designed to improve search engine ranking and send valuable, ready-to-buy visitors to the site.

The team has a strong history spanning over 20 years in search engine optimization, or SEO, successfully helping businesses globally. WebJi® now actively serves the greater Austin area, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Buda. The team, composed of expert SEO specialists, content writers, and link building managers, operates virtually, ensuring every part of the SEO plan is handled professionally and efficiently, regardless of location.

Targeted Services for Real Local Results

WebJi® offers comprehensive services focused on maximizing visibility specifically within the Austin market:

Local SEO and Map Ranking: The agency uses Local SEO to ensure nearby customers find the business first. They optimize listings and pages to boost local calls and visits. They improve Map Ranking SEO so a business’s pin shows up higher for “near me” searches on major mapping platforms.
Technical SEO and SEO Audits: WebJi® performs a deep SEO audit, a full health check of the website. They focus on Technical SEO, fixing site speed and crawl issues. This helps search engines correctly read and reward the site with better positions.
AI Ranking SEO and Content: The agency uses cutting-edge AI Ranking SEO to study search patterns. They adjust content based on real data to keep clients ahead. This process is built on detailed keyword research to find the exact terms real buyers use. They also manage safe, honest link building from reputable sites, which acts as a vote to boost domain strength.

WebJi® provides clear monthly reports on traffic, rankings, and leads, showing measurable results typically within 3 to 6 months.

If your Austin business needs better search engine ranking or Local SEO, WebJi® can help. The team serves all Austin neighborhoods, including Downtown Austin, Central Austin, South Congress, and Tech Ridge.

About WebJi®:

WebJi® is an established SEO Agency with over 20 years of experience in search engine optimization, offering remote-first services globally. The team of specialists focuses on Local SEO, Technical SEO, AI Ranking SEO, and building authority through safe practices. WebJi® delivers effective digital marketing strategies to ensure long-term, measurable search growth for clients in the Austin market.

Media Contact
Company Name: seoagencyaustintx.com
Contact Person: Anand Maheshwari
Email: Send Email
Country: United States
Website: https://seoagencyaustintx.com/

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Austin, TX

RFQ alert: City of Austin seeks quotations for 111 solar installations

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

RFQ alert: City of Austin seeks quotations for 111 solar installations

Austin, Texas seeks offers of design, engineering, installation, operations and maintenance and decommissioning of solar projects on municipal facilities.

December 16, 2025
Anne Fischer

Image: Jan Van Bizar, Pexels

Last spring Austin, Texas city council members approved a resolution to put solar on the rooftops of city-owned buildings. The resolution supports the Austin Climate Equity Plan that aims for net-zero community-wide carbon emissions by 2040 with an emphasis on cutting emissions by 2030. In keeping with that plan, the city is seeking a request for quotations (RFQ) for the solar projects planned for 111 municipal facilities.

Austin plans to make use of existing infrastructure by placing solar on rooftops and over parking lots. In addition to parking lots, the City-owned facilities on the site list designated for solar include at least seven fire stations, libraries, maintenance facilities, garages, recreation centers, city hall, and more.

Quotations on design, engineering, building, operations, maintenance and decommissioning are due by January 6, 2026 at 2 p.m. CST with questions due by December 22, 2025 at 5 p.m. CST. An online pre-offer conference will take place via Microsoft Teams on December 19, 2025 at 11 a.m. CST. Teams meeting ID: 277 171 690 189 99 Passcode 45Vf2kK3. Solicitation-specific questions can be directed to shawn.willett@austintexas.gov.

Austin’s electric customers are served by Austin Energy and connected to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid.

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