Protests

An uptick in student-led protests within the school district has led to scrutiny from Texas officials.

The state education agency issued guidance to districts after Gov. Greg Abbott directed its commissioner to investigate the student protests of killings by federal agents.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argues school personnel helped students leave campus to attend anti-ICE protests.

Thousands of people packed into Pan American Neighborhood Park in East Austin for an anti-ICE rally, which was led by several high-profile Texas Democrats, including Greg Casar, Joaquin Castro and James Talarico.

A so-called national shutdown has drawn support from businesses and students in Austin. Hundreds of AISD students walked out of class on Friday to join the protest movement. Gov. Greg Abbott said the state would investigate the school district's role.

The vigil comes after Pretti was killed by federal immigration officers last weekend.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers arrived in riot gear in Dilley on Wednesday as protesters gathered outside the South Texas Family Residential Center to draw attention to the detention of a five-year-old boy from the Minneapolis area being held at the ICE facility.

Austin Police said the arrests came during protests outside the J.J. Pickle federal building Saturday night and that pepper balls were used to disperse the crowd. Demonstrations also took place earlier Saturday and on Friday.

The gathering in Pflugerville is among the first of four anti-ICE demonstrations planned across the Austin area over the next few days.

The Capitol rally and march was part of a nationwide movement protesting the Trump administration.