Texas DPS arrests 9 in anti-ICE protest in Austin, including GOP lt. gov. candidate

(The Center Square) – Texas Department of Public Safety arrested nine people during anti-ICE protests in Austin on Saturday, including a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor of Texas.

“Texas is a law-and-order state, and DPS has ZERO TOLERANCE for disrupting public order or endangering law enforcement officers,” DPS said. “During Saturday’s protest at the State Capitol and in downtown Austin, Texas DPS arrested nine individuals on various charges, including felony assault of a peace officer and resisting arrest.”

DPS troopers responded to protest events at the state Capitol and in downtown Austin Saturday, leading to the capitol and its grounds being evacuated, The Center Square reported.

Working with Austin Police Department officers, they made arrests in order “to keep demonstrators, the public and property safe,” as law enforcement officers statewide largely held off violence that occurred in other states, The Center Square reported.

The protest began around 5 p.m. on capitol grounds and after evacuating the capitol and closing the grounds, demonstrators marched through downtown Austin, including the 46-square-block Texas Capitol Complex area, which DPS protects. It was then that DPS personnel arrested nine people, including for felony assault of a peace officer and resisting arrest, among other charges. Everyone arrested was booked in the Travis County Jail.

When engaging with protestors, DPS personnel “deployed pepper spray, PAVA powder and a taser to ensure officer safety and maintain order,” it said. It also collaborated with local, state and federal law enforcement partners, including the APD, “to ensure the safety of our citizens and state property, as well as to protect individuals exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and free speech.”

All nine arrested were men under the age of 45, including:

Andrew Joseph Alemao (37) – interfering with public duties.Dorian Gray (19) – felony graffiti.Daymon Micah Grubbs (19) – disobeying a police officer.Christian Deun Johnson (24) – disobeying a police officer, providing false identification and evading arrest.Henry T. Johnson (23) – obstructing a passageway.Francisco Limon Juarez (31) – criminal trespass.Tyrone Germane Stafford (44) – possession of marijuana.Brendan William Talbert (24) – walking on roadway when sidewalks provided, felony assault of a peace officer, evading arrest and resisting arrest.Esala Wueschner (33) – criminal trespass.

Wueschner, a U.S. Air Force Veteran who legally immigrated from Sri Lanka, has a history of voting in Republican primaries. He filed a campaign treasurer appointment application with the Texas Ethics Commission to run for lieutenant governor earlier this month. Endorsed by Save Austin Now, he ran for election to the Austin City Council District 3 in 2022 and lost.

Last year, the Travis County GOP sued him for “threatening actions directed at Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s Officers, Precinct Chairmen/Chairwomen, volunteers, members, event/meeting attendees,” and had a restraining order issued against him.

“Wueschner has abided by the restraining order so far,” Travis County GOP said. “He is suspended by X and Facebook due to his other comments which were virulently anti-Semitic. We understand DPS banned him from the capitol for a time.”

Wueschner argues Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants Texas “children to be drafted for WW3 while his daughters are safe from the front line combat for Jesus and Israel.” He made the claim in a LinkedIn statement, reposting a post in which Paxton offered prayers for Israel as Iran launched missiles. Also attacking Paxton’s family, he said, “This is a perfect example of a non Christian family. I, Future – Lt. Gov of Texas 2026 (candidate) is a Buddist.” [sic]

DPS says it’s continuously monitoring protests and other events and their impact on public safety statewide and is adjusting its operations, “including personnel and resources, as needed to address potential and emerging threats. Our men and women stand ready to protect and serve.”