AUSTIN (KXAN) — Protesters were evacuated from Texas State Capitol grounds after a reported possible threat closed Capitol grounds Tuesday evening, the Texas Department of Public Safety said. This happened moments before a planned protest was scheduled to start outside of the House chamber where one lawmaker is refusing to leave after rejecting a requirement to be monitored by a DPS escort.
A law enforcement source told KXAN that an anonymous caller contacted DPS intelligence center to report a “concerning post on social media.”
Some protesters moved outside the Capitol grounds after DPS shut down the building. At 7 p.m., DPS said that only the building was closed, however shortly after, authorities closed the entire grounds.
In an update from KXAN’s Grace Reader on X at 7:05 p.m., the post said, “Grounds are now closed” and protesters were moved towards the street by law enforcement.
At 7:36 p.m., Capitol grounds were empty but protesters continue to protest outside of the gates. They say they will be here until 10 p.m., according to the post.
This is a developing story.