Hundreds of street racers and their supporters clashed with police in Austin, Texas. Several law enforcement vehicles were heavily damaged and one officer was injured.
The surging crowd forced some officers to retreat from the area of the rioting, according to video posted below.
“APD is committed to stopping this conduct,” the department said. “Lawbreaking in this manner will result in enforcement and arrest. Our community’s safety is the #1 priority for APD.”
Witness video shows cars spinning in circles, crowds running at police cars and setting off fireworks.
The Austin Police Association placed the blame on the shoulders of progressive, anti-police Democrats who control the city.
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“Austin policy makers are directly responsible for the overall safety of their citizens & visitors. Looks like they failed to make the right decisions & continue to defund, destroy, & demoralize public safety. Austin was one of the safest cities, NOT anymore,” the agency wrote on Twitter.
State Rep. Jeff Leach also blasted the “maddening lawlessness.”
“Many thoughts about this maddening lawlessness in Austin last night,” he wrote on Twitter. “But more than anything: God bless our brave men and women in blue! Especially those working in cities where they’re undervalued, underpaid and under attack, like in Austin.”
Chaos at Barton Springs and Lamar in #Austin. Rioters after a bunch of drifting push back police and throw fireworks at them @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/FVMlK2S3eH
— Aaron Crews (@aaroncrews) February 19, 2023
🚨#WATCH: As chaos erupted overnight as dozens cars takeover attacking police
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) February 19, 2023
📌#Austin | #Texas⁰⁰Chaos erupted in Austin Texas after a significant, coordinated street race / takeover event took place last night as multiple vehicles blocked traffic doing donuts. When Austin… https://t.co/TMjLC0hY39 pic.twitter.com/ZddAmsUM7s
Complete lawlessness in Austin.pic.twitter.com/1D51EDaZ0L
— Ben Kew 🐶 (@ben_kew) February 19, 2023
It’s been about 20 minutes since the first cars arrived to block off the intersection pic.twitter.com/l8yLqCVKN6
— Allie Morris 🌟 (@MorrisReports) February 19, 2023