Today on #MayDay, Rent Strike Austin and allies drove in a caravan of 30 cars driving at five miles an hour down I-35 through Austin, slowing traffic almost to a stop.  At then end of the caravan, the Austin Police Department arrested over 12 drivers and towed their cars. Those arrested are facing charges of a Class B misdemeanor for obstruction of a highway. 

The caravan was one of many across the country today as tenants, many of whom are facing the difficult decisions of choosing between rent and other necessities, take part in a wave of organizing to demand rent relief. Rent Strike Austin planned the caravan to coincide with International Workers Day as well as the day that the state of TX reopened the economy to highlight the inadequacy of the state and federal response to the pandemic. This decision has forced many back to work under dangerous conditions while providing no adequate relief for the renters who have been most impacted by this crisis.

The caravan amplified the five demands of the rent strike: free healthcare; protections for all workers; a cancellation of all rents, mortgages, bill collections and debt payments; freeing prisoners; and housing for all. Many cars also bore signs demanding justice for the family of Mike Ramos, who APD police officers killed last week. 

Please donate to support these courageous people who were arrested for taking a stand against the state's violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. All funds will go toward jail support and legal costs for those arrested.