What if the Austin Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office threw a riot and nobody came? Perhaps in light of fears that protests against the visiting Fortune 500 conference would turn into another Seattle — where pockets of violence turned otherwise peaceful rallies ugly at last year’s meeting of the World Trade Organization — APD showed up for Austin’s weekend of dissent in shiny black riot gear, outfitted to the teeth with rubber pellets, beanbags, and tear gas. People from all over Texas gathered at the state Capitol and across downtown this past weekend, October 13-15, to air their views about visiting Fortune 500 execs, immigrant rights, and the death penalty at separate marches. Citizens exercised their right to freedom of speech at a number of these rallies and events, often displaying playfulness and a sense of humor typical of Austin. Over 500 citizens showed up for each of the three major marches. There were no arrests.
This article appears in October 20 • 2000.