AUSTIN, Texas — Some Austin City Council members are calling for an investigation after video posted to social media appears to show an altercation between an Austin Police Department (APD) officer and a transgender woman earlier this month.
Councilmembers Vanessa Fuentes, José Velásquez and Mike Siegel released a joint statement Tuesday afternoon regarding the video, dated March 2, which appears to show a transgender woman being thrown to the ground by an APD officer.
What happened to lead up to the altercation is unclear at this time. KVUE reached out to APD about the alleged incident, and a department spokesperson said they are working on a formal statement, expected no later than Wednesday morning.
Fuentes, Velásquez and Siegel are calling for a use of force investigation after viewing the “upsetting video.”
“We have taken steps to ensure that this excessive use of force is investigated properly and that appropriate action is taken to ensure accountability,” the councilmembers wrote in their statement. “At a time when our LGBTQIA+ community is under continuing attacks from the national and state governments, we must do all we can as a City to ensure that all members of our community are safe. Thank you to all who have reached out and shared their concern about the safety and dignity of our trans community.”
Councilmember Zo Qadri, who represents most of Downtown Austin, has also responded to the video, as well as an incident this past weekend at Rain on 4th, when Code Compliance officers shut the club down under a false claim of overcapacity.
Qadri said he is in contact with both the Downtown Safety District and APD “to get answers” about both incidents.
“I am deeply concerned with troubling reports of unacceptable interactions between the City of Austin and our LGBTQIA+ community,” Qadri said in his statement, later adding, “Austin must be a safe haven for all, and our queer community deserves city leaders that will continue to push for accountability and action.”