LIVE: 'No Kings' anti-Trump protest in Austin expected to draw crowds, police presence

As the city anxiously anticipates the first large-scale protest since Austin’s anti-ICE demonstration Monday, which resulted in 13 arrests, organizers have asserted the Saturday protest will be safe, peaceful, and focused on “fun,” embracing a circus theme.

The “No Kings” protest in Austin — set to begin at the Texas Capitol at 5 p.m. Saturday — is one of more than 1,800 planned across the country, aimed at garnering significant crowds to oppose what protesters describe as President Donald Trump’s authoritarian-like rule. It coincides with Trump’s birthday and a military parade in Washington, D.C., which protesters have critiqued as a lavish use of taxpayer dollars.

Here's what we know about planned protests in Austin and across Texas:

2:40 p.m.: DPS evacuates Capitol out of caution, 'temporarily' closes building, grounds

Texas Department of Public Safety officers evacuated the Capitol after a "credible threat" toward state lawmakers set to speak at this evening's protest, and have "temporarily closed" both the grounds and the building "out of an abundance of caution" as of 1 p.m., the department announced on X at 2:30 p.m.

"DPS has a duty to protect the people and property of Texas and is continuously monitoring events occurring today and their impact on public safety across the state," the post said.

The temporary closure's impact on the demonstration at 5 p.m. is not immediately clear, but DPS said it will work with all parties 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."

2:30 p.m.: Crowds in Dallas, Houston exceed 10,000+, stay peaceful

"No Kings" protests across the country have attracted massive crowds of peaceful demonstrators, including in Texas.

Dallas Police told Fox 4 they estimated 10,000 people had turned out to demonstrate, and The Houston Chronicle reported that 15,000 people attended the city's anti-Trump demonstration, quoting an estimate from Houston Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia.

In Fort Worth, dozens of women dressed as handmaidens from Margaret Atwood's dystopian "Handmaid's Tale" carrying a banner stating "We The People Were Not Meant to Kneel."

1:30 p.m.: Austin organizers to 'accelerate' program, add precautions ahead of 'No Kings' protest

Paul Vonder Haar, treasurer of Hands Off Central Texas, said in an interview that organizers are actively communicating with law enforcement and taking precautions after the Texas Department of Public Safety identified a credible threat against state legislators. He declined to specify the measures being taken, citing safety concerns.

The most significant change, Vonder Haar said, is that the program will be "accelerated" to end before 8 p.m. and give people plenty of time to leave before the grounds close. It will likely start right at 5 p.m., he said.

Vonder Haar added that organizers have added 20 port-a-potties, given that the Capitol Building will be closed, and are directing people to use the bathroom before the protest or use the public ones in Waterloo Park, about a 10-minute walk from the grounds.

1 p.m.: Texas DPS alerts to 'credible threat' against state lawmakers

The Texas Department of Public Safety has identified a “credible threat toward state legislators” attending today’s “No Kings” protest at the state Capitol, according to an email alert sent to Capitol staffers and lawmakers just before 1 p.m. Saturday.

Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu is sponsoring the protest, and Austin democratic state Rep. John Bucy III, state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and U.S. Rep. Greg Casar are also planning to attend the protest.

The threat came on the same day two state lawmakers in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party were assassinated in Minnesota.

Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, told lawmakers in an internal email that police found a list of potential targets in the vehicle of the suspect who killed the Minnesota lawmakers.

“It seems to be an isolated incident. However, we’re always concerned about copycats and those who the attack might inspire. Your safety is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary precautions to address any potential threats.”

9 a.m.: City announces Capitol grounds closing at 8 p.m.

Mayor Kirk Watson said the Capitol grounds will close "promptly at 8 p.m." on X and advised participants to expect heavy traffic, identify safe exits, and prepare for an increased police presence.

At 9 a.m. Friday, Austin Police also said protesters should prepare for an 8 p.m. closure of the grounds. Participants can text "Protest 614" to "888777" for Austin police protest updates.

Gov. Greg Abbott deploys more than 5,000 National Guard troops to Texas cities as protest joins heated political moment

Gov. Greg Abbott, a close ally of Trump, said Thursday that he deployed more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops across the state for expected demonstrations, which Austin leaders have said is unnecessary.

The Texas Department of Public Safety also announced Friday that it will close the Capitol building at 4 p.m. Saturday to “ensure the safety” of visitors.

Despite the protest occurring at this heated moment, Hands Off Central Texas began planning the protest weeks before the highly tense anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, where Trump called the National Guard and military to intervene before a judge stopped the action, Paul Vonder Haar, treasurer of Hands Off Central Texas, said.

Vonder Haar expects a crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 people, unless rain dampens the size, more than the past protests Hands off Central Texas has hosted this year without incident. He said he has been in contact with local law enforcement, state troopers, and professional de-escalation experts.

Vonder Haar said that in a crowd of the size organizers expect, agitators and conflict are possible, but the city and organizers are prepared to de-escalate and are committed to nonviolence.

“I want to make it 100% clear, this is going to be a safe event,” Vonder Haar said. “We really want to get a circus atmosphere. We want this to be a fun time. Because we’ve noticed things have been a little scary out there, but it’s hard to be scared when you’re looking at a guy juggling three pins.”

Organizers criticize Abbott, Trump's National Guard deployment

Rachel O'Learly Carmona, executive director of the Women's March, Inc, which is organizing the "Kick Out the Clowns" part of Saturday's "No King" protest, criticized Abbott and Trump’s deployment of the National Guard as “stark political intervention" in an interview with the American-Statesman, and said the Women's March is committed to nonviolence and peaceful demonstration to counter "state violence."

“We've been hearing very clearly from courts about the illegality of the overreach that has happened,” she said, referring to the judge’s decision to block Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles. “You don't fight fire with fire. You fight fire with water.”

Both organizers said Saturday’s protest is designed to highlight the “absurdity” in politics today and provide levity through humor, satire, circus-themed acts, and a showcase of community, giving people a productive and lawful channel to advance change.

Vonder Haar recruited performers from an Austin juggling club and clown colleges, he said, and Austin’s U.S. Democratic Representatives Lloyd Doggett and Greg Casar are also expected to speak. Local performers Brigitte Bandit and ResistDance will also perform, he added.

The Los Angeles Protests and the ICE raids that prompted them have "been a real wake-up call of, wow, people need to get out there," Vonder Haar said.

"But they need to get out there in the right way," he added. “This is the right event for the moment."

Check back for live updates as the Austin 'No Kings' protest unfolds.