[Det847everyone] Potential Protests Austin Area

[Jeffery Erwin]

Cadets,

Please read below for information concerning the Austin area during spring break.

Please remember what Lt Col Argueta briefed you concerning protests and your responsibilities as cadets.

Be safe.

The following was provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Fusion Cell, to AFOSI 4FIR:
“First Amendment Acknowledgement: The Texas Department of Public Safety recognizes that U.S. citizens have constitutionally protected rights to assemble, speak, and petition. Texas DPS safeguards these First Amendment rights, and reports on only those activities where criminal activity occurs or the where incitement rhetoric could be used to instigate acts of violence. Additionally, potential criminal activity conducted by certain member(s) of a group does not negate the Constitutional rights of the group itself or its law-abiding participants to exercise their First Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.

On 6 March 2024, the TXFC became aware of calls for disruption surrounding the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals under the banner SmashxSmashWest, activities outside of downtown Austin are specifically encouraged. The TXFC has not observed any specific plans for disruption other than the "action window" at 9:00 AM on 11 March listed on the SmashxSmashWest website. The TXFC has discovered an "Insurrection Challenge" bingo card published by SmashxSmashWest which includes activities that could be criminal in nature. Other scheduled SmashxSmashwest activities are presented as 1A protected protests against the actions of SXSW owners/organizers, and sponsorship of the event by the U.S. Army and Raytheon. SmashxSmashWest discusses the opportunity to act during a time when first responders and infrastructure are already burdened by the influx of event attendees.

SmashxSmashWest has also posted an "Insurrection Challenge." This challenge includes calls for artists to host mobile events blocking streets or buildings throughout the city. Additional calls to "activists" include spreading activity outside of downtown, planning multiple simultaneous protests in different places "to maximize disruption, fluidity, & stretch thing the police's resources." Also included in the challenge to activists is a call to stop "defanging your protest." This call is echoed in their calls to the crowd at protests to challenge the authority of protest leaders. Protest members are also encouraged to seek opportunities for additional action during protests, examples included are: "A storefront that's not being guarded while a big crowd passes by; lead a break-away march down an alley or side street; drag things into the street behind the protest to help protect the crowd and increase disruption." A final posting in the challenge includes a bingo card previously circulated in 2020. This includes items such as stealing flags, starting dumpster fires, sabotaging parking meters or transit kiosks, looting stores, snatching SXSW badges, and attacking self-driving cars, symbols of the state, and new condos.

Another page on the SmashxSmashWest site lists opportunities for action. These include the US Army Futures Command Locations, Military Recruiting Centers, Military Contractors, Police Stations, Police affiliated Individuals, Jails and Prisons, and Logistical Infrastructure.”


Of note, the SXSW event is DHS-designated as a Special Event Assessment Rating-Level 3.  Level 3 designation is for events of national and/or international importance that require only limited federal support.


JEFFREY J. ERWIN, Lt Col, USAF ≡✪≡
Operations Officer, Det 847 Air Force ROTC
Assistant Professor
Department of Aerospace Studies
Angelo State University
Phone (325) 942-2036
Email: jerwin3 at angelo.edu<mailto:jerwin3 at angelo.edu>
Email: Jeffrey.erwin.5 at us.af.mil<mailto:Jeffrey.erwin.5 at us.af.mil>
https://www.angelo.edu/dept/rotc/

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