Thank You for Protecting Austin Muslim Families from Hate

Thank you for the city’s swift response to the hate speech targeting Muslim families at Walnut Creek Park on December 21. City Manager Broadnax’s statement condemning the harassment and Chief Davis’s policy change requiring supervisors on scene for hate speech incidents are concrete steps toward protecting all Austinites. The protestors who called worshippers “evil” and “wicked” during a community breakfast violated the basic decency Austin stands for, and your administration’s decision to ensure individuals can be cited for causing disturbances sends a clear message that intimidation will not be tolerated in our public spaces. This policy shift matters. When children can’t safely play in a park after morning prayers because adults are shouting slurs at their families, we have failed our obligation to protect the vulnerable. The new protocol gives officers better tools to intervene without violating First Amendment protections, a balance that respects both civil liberties and human dignity. I urge you to continue working with CAIR-Austin and the Muslim community to monitor implementation of these changes and ensure public spaces remain welcoming for everyone, regardless of faith or background.