CW: This article mentions police brutality. 

A group of student protesters gathered at the Texas Capitol with megaphones in hand, chanting “No justice, no peace!” and “All of the power, to all of the people!” on Sunday to demand justice for Alex Gonzales, Jr. and Rajan Moonesinghe and to speak about police brutality.

Both Gonzales, Jr. and Moonesinghe were shot and killed during encounters with Austin Police Department officers, according to reports from the Office of Police Oversight. Students for Revolution, a student-run group that describes itself as a communist revolutionary organization, said they held the protest to draw attention to the actions of APD officers Gabriel Gutierrez, Luis Serrato and Daniel Sanchez, which collectively resulted in the deaths of Gonzales, Jr. and Moonesinghe, according to the OPO. 

“As an organization, we believe that there should not be a police force in our society,” said SFR member Mari, a government freshman whose last name is not included for concerns of personal safety. “We’re also using (the protest) as a way to organize around this issue and bring more people into the struggle against police violence and brutality in Austin.”

According to the OPO Disciplinary Recommendation, Gutierrez was in his personal vehicle in January 2021 when he said he noticed “a vehicle driving erratically.” Gutierrez reported that he believed Gonzales, Jr., the driver of the vehicle he identified, was pointing a firearm at him while their two cars were side to side, leading him to shoot at the driver’s side in self-defense, according to the report. 

Gutierrez did not notice Jessica Arellano and Gonzales, Jr. and Arellano’s infant son in the vehicle until he heard screaming, according to the report. 

Gutierrez called 911 after the shooting, and on-duty officers responded to the scene within minutes, according to the report. Shortly after their arrival, Officer Serrato fired ten shots at Gonzales, Jr. when he attempted to open the rear-view door of his vehicle, killing Gonzales, Jr. Arellano was shot three times, but it was not confirmed if Serrato fired at her as well. 

It was later confirmed Gonzales, Jr. did not fire a weapon at Gutierrez or Serrato. No weapon was found in the rear of his vehicle, though a weapon was found on the floor of the driver’s seat. Evidence from the discipline report suggests Gonzales, Jr. was going to check on his son when he did not comply with the officer’s orders. 

Both officers were not criminally charged, according to the OPO, though indefinite suspension was recommended. 

The protest also called attention to Rajan Moonesinghe, who was shot and killed on November 15, 2022 by APD officer Daniel Sanchez. 

According to a report by the OPO and APD, Moonesinghe was shot on the porch of his home by Sanchez after he allegedly fired his personal rifle at his own home, believing an intruder was inside. 

Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Sanchez asked Moonesinghe to drop his weapon but then fired his weapon immediately after the command, according to the OPO.

Sanchez has since been placed on administrative leave, according to a report from the APD Public Information Office.

“We’ve tried everything and every possible way to communicate and get a better service from the Austin Police Department,” said Cluren Williams, an activist who has been in contact with the Gonzales family. “(Justice won’t happen) until they actually start making some arrangements, like firing officers (or) paying out the families.” 

Gonzales, Jr.’s mother, Elizabeth Gonzales, was also present at the event in support of SFR and her son’s memory.

“I’m here to support police accountability. I want to be the base for that because the cops need to be responsible for what they do to our children.” Gonzales said. “We’re hurt, and there’s no healing process for us. So where do we go from there?”