Footage Shows Austin Police Violence to Black Lives Matter Protesters
Video shows injuries from use of pepper spray, beanbag rounds
By Richard Whittaker, 3:30PM, Thu. Jun. 4, 2020

New footage from the Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Austin and on I-35 on May 30 shows the use of force by Austin Police Force officers, including "less lethal" rounds and chemical sprays that lead to severe injuries to protesters.
The footage, shot by Vanessa Ramos and Max Anderson of Austin-based V&M Productions, follows the demonstration on May 30, in which Austinites were protesting about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and demanding answers about the April 24 shooting death of Mike Ramos by an APD officer.
The video clearly demonstrates exactly what APD officers did on the day as they pushed protesters across I-35 and into East Austin. Firing bean bag rounds from shotguns into crowds. Spraying pepper spray into the crowd indiscriminately, and often from above. Pushing protesters while they were in precarious positions. This clearly continued while the crowd was dispersing as well as during the initial protest.
Warning: The video shows graphic images of violence and injuries, including blood.
Black Lives Matter Protest - Austin, TX - May 30, 2020 from V&M Productions on Vimeo.
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Black Lives Matter, Police Violence, APD