Austin protesters clash with police in the wake of Garrett Foster's death

By Jordan Vonderhaar

Throughout the summer, cities in Texas and around the country have seen protests and demonstrations against police brutality. On Saturday, protesters and law enforcement clashed in Austin, a week after protester Garrett Foster, who was openly carrying an AK-47 rifle — which is legal in Texas — was shot and killed by Daniel Perry, a U.S. Army sergeant, when he approached his car. Perry drove away, then called the police. Perry was released without being charged. Since then, questions have been raised about who was the aggressor.

Foster's death fueled tensions Saturday night in the downtown streets of the state capital as demonstrators again gathered and local and state police turned out in massive force. Tribune photographer Jordan Vonderhaar was there to document the protest. Here's what he saw.

State police in riot gear form a line along Congress Avenue and advance toward protesters to remove them from the street.

Jordan Vonderhaar

Armed protesters ride in the back of a pickup truck from a rally at the University of Texas to a memorial for Garrett Foster in downtown Austin, minutes after hearing of clashes between other protesters and police.

Jordan Vonderhaar

A man with a sniper rifle slung over his shoulder stands among protesters who have gathered at the Garrett Foster memorial in downtown Austin.

Jordan Vonderhaar

A protester confronts police in riot gear.

Jordan Vonderhaar

Mounted officers from the Austin Police Department clash with protesters on the corner of Fourth Street and Congress Avenue in downtown Austin.

Jordan Vonderhaar

Mounted officers from the Austin Police Department clash with protesters on the corner of Fourth Street and Congress Avenue in downtown Austin.

Jordan Vonderhaar

State police were present large numbers. 

Jordan Vonderhaar

Jordan Vonderhaar

A protester armed with a baseball bat kneels in the street with fist upraised as protesters clashed with police in downtown Austin on Aug. 1, 2020.

Jordan Vonderhaar

Members of the far-right Proud Boys militia stand on Congress Avenue across from the Garrett Foster memorial in downtown Austin.

Jordan Vonderhaar

A woman with her hands zip-tied waits to be loaded onto a bus after being arrested during protests against police brutality in downtown Austin.

Jordan Vonderhaar

Police load arrested protesters into a Travis County Sheriff Department bus.

Jordan Vonderhaar

A police officer sprays a protester with pepper spray as demonstrators clash with police in downtown Austin

Jordan Vonderhaar

A heavy police presence marked Saturday's protest in downtown Austin.