Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

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October 4, 2022
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Austin officials address community fears following election

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Alex Dolan

Austin-elected officials addressed community members’ fears of deportation and hate crimes following last week’s presidential election at a City Hall press conference Thursday afternoon.

City Council members Gregorio Casar, Leslie Pool and Delia Garza joined Mayor Steve Adler in condemning racism and anti-immigration policies following nationwide protests of President-elect Donald Trump and anxieties at home, especially from UT students.

“Many of our offices have been contacted by parents whose children have been afraid to go to school,” Garza said. “I hope [UT students] know that they’re not alone and that everyone is feeling that fear and apprehension.”


Students marched downtown last Wednesday and Sunday in protest of Trump’s election. 

“I don’t think we’re gaining anything by hurting folks or breaking laws,” said Garza, who represents District 2. “It’s everyone’s constitutional right to protest.”

APD officials said six people were arrested during Austin protests Sunday night. In a “60 Minutes” interview the same day, Trump said it upset him to hear reports of harassment toward minorities.

“I am saddened to hear that,” Trump said. “I would say don’t do it, that’s terrible, because I’m going to bring this country together.”

Pool said Austin’s city election was successful, but it was diminished by the presidential one, which she took as a personal defeat.

“This loss is very personal and for a lot of reasons,” Pool said. “I admire President Obama’s steady hand during these times of uncertainty.” 

District Attorney-elect Margaret Moore, Travis County Sheriff-elect Sally Hernandez and Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt were also present at the press conference.

Eckhardt said her daughter told her no one in her public school class stood for the pledge last Wednesday afternoon. 

“Closing the border and deporting our friends and neighbors … and children will not make us great,” Eckhardt said. “I am looking forward to my daughter and her classmates, all of her classmates, feeling that they can stand for pledge to the flag of the United States, because they all belong.”

During the press conference, Casar said the daughter of one of his constituents called her father crying because she thought someone would deport him. 

“They fear that in the future someone will come for them,” Casar said. “This is a test of our values, and we clearly stand on the side of fairness and justice.”

Hernandez said Travis County has not joined a task force to deport illegal immigrants, although Trump’s immigration plan calls for the deportation of criminal illegal immigrants “in joint operations with local, state, and federal law enforcement,” according to his website. 

“While some speak of building walls, I will continue to bridge the gap and rebuild trust in our communities.” Hernandez said. “Our values have not changed, as you’ve heard of everyone, just because of the Election Day.”

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Austin officials address community fears following election