# Socialist groups mobilized Austin ICE protest within hours > Multiple left-wing organizations coordinated a rapid response to an ICE shooting, using social media to direct supporters to the scene before federal investigators released details. - Title: Socialist groups mobilized Austin ICE protest within hours - Summary: Multiple left-wing organizations coordinated a rapid response to an ICE shooting, using social media to direct supporters to the scene before federal… - Keywords: ice shooting, austin texas, party for socialism and liberation, democratic socialists of america, freedom road socialist organization, protest mobilization, venezuelan immigrant, police violence, immigration enforcement, social media coordination, anti-ice activism, news - Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/state/not-spontaneous-texas-socialist-network-mobilized-austin-anti-ice-unrest - Author: Dallas Express - Published: 2026-09-22T17:30:21+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: ice shooting, austin texas, party for socialism and liberation, democratic socialists of america, freedom road socialist organization, protest mobilization, venezuelan immigrant, police violence, immigration enforcement, social media coordination, anti-ice activism, news ## ICE officer shoots Venezuelan migrant in Austin An ICE agent shot a Venezuelan man near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard on Sunday at approximately 12:56 p.m. Federal investigators are examining the officer's use of force. ## Socialist groups activate within hours The Party for Socialism and Liberation posted about the shooting at 4:19 p.m., just over three hours after it occurred. PSL's national account and chapters in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Waco shared the same breaking-news graphic. ## Democratic Socialists organize emergency demonstration Austin DSA advertised an emergency demonstration and vigil at 8121 Research Boulevard from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., calling it a spontaneous protest while directing supporters to a specific location and time. ## FRSO frames incident as ICE violence pattern Freedom Road Socialist Organization's Austin chapter published graphics alleging ICE shot an unarmed civilian and described the incident as part of a pattern of ICE violence and killings. ## PSL amplifies live video from the scene By 5:44 p.m., PSL's national and Austin accounts were broadcasting live video with the message Austinites flooding the streets. At 8:27 p.m., PSL demanded the agent's arrest and urged supporters to follow the Minneapolis example. ## Crowd grows into hundreds, violence erupts Demonstrators blocked the roadway, lit fireworks and waved large Mexican flags. Some threw rocks, bottles and concrete at officers. Three police officers suffered minor injuries and three vehicles were damaged. ## Three arrested on riot and assault charges Police arrested Robert Padgett, 48, on riot and resisting-arrest charges; Armando Menagarcia, 29, on riot, resisting-arrest and assault charges; and Matthew Hemby, 44, on riot charges. All charges remain allegations. ## Democrats condemn ICE before federal disclosure Rep. Greg Casar posted at 2:28 p.m. accusing ICE of operating a deadly mass deportation machine. Mayor Kirk Watson posted at 4:57 p.m. criticizing ICE's rogue nature. DHS disclosed the man's removal order at 11:33 p.m., hours after both statements. ## Man had final removal order, attorney disputes details DHS said Garces Perez was a Venezuelan illegal alien with a final removal order. His attorney claims he entered through the Biden-era CBP One process, sought asylum and possessed a valid work permit, but has not publicly released documentation. ## Work permit does not cancel deportation order A work permit does not establish lawful immigration status or cancel a deportation order. USCIS states that approval of Form I-765 does not grant immigration status, and some aliens with final removal orders can receive limited employment authorization. ## ICE officer says operations unchanged, environment shifted A veteran ICE officer told Dallas Express in March that the agency's mission and operations had not changed. However, he said more people now attempt to escape and ram ICE vehicles, requiring teams to prepare for those encounters. > It used to be that when someone saw lights and a siren, they would stop and comply. ## PSL openly states revolution is necessary PSL's official program states capitalism cannot be voted out of power and that it will take a revolution. The organization describes military, police, intelligence agencies and courts as institutions defending capitalist interests. > it will take a revolution. ## FRSO applies Marxism-Leninism, seeks revolutionary change FRSO states in its program that it applies Marxism-Leninism and is working to build a revolutionary communist party capable of taking power. The organization wants to replace capitalism through revolutionary means. ## Network includes groups funded by tech entrepreneur Fox News connected PSL's protest activity to a wider ecosystem including BreakThrough News, People's Forum, CodePink and ANSWER Coalition. Several organizations in that network have received funding linked to tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham, who lives in Shanghai. ## Key takeaway Socialist and communist organizations activated established networks across Texas within hours of the shooting, turning a local incident into a coordinated statewide campaign through social media.