Commitment to protect and serve

Although there will not be a regular City Council meeting on Thursday, we can expect a lively press conference at 4 p.m. with members of Council and Mayor Steve Adler standing beside other local officials, including Sheriff-elect Sally Hernandez, Austin Independent School District Superintendent Paul Cruz and representatives of the Austin Police Department. Council Member Greg Casar has been organizing and participating in protests against plans by President-elect Donald Trump to deport millions of immigrants. Casar said Tuesday he and other officials want to let people know “we’re going to work to keep people safe. That’s part of our commitment and our job. We have heard from lots of people in the community that they are concerned for the safety of themselves and their families and their friends because of the policies promised by Trump. And many of those policies are against our city’s values and our city’s existing policies. So it is my intention to let people know that I’m going to do everything within my power as a Council member to defy and resist policies that would harm our families, especially the civil rights and religious freedoms of our families and immigrant safety in the community.” Casar has also announced that he will be protesting the Trump inauguration in January. National Public Radio has reported that since Trump’s election, there has been an increase in the number of hate crimes reported against immigrants and minorities, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center and others. (After the press conference, Council will hear about plans for CodeNEXT.)