A dispute over parking outside an Austin home has grown into a wave of protests after the homeowner highlighted that the property had cost $1.5 million.
The confrontation began when Bri, a student at nearby Huston-Tillotson University, a historically Black college in Austin, challenged a couple who were allegedly warning commuters not to park outside their East 9th Street home.
Video Bri recorded on the couple’s front steps spread rapidly online, prompting students and community members to gather outside the property over the weekend.
The footage opens with Bri accusing the couple of leaving notes on vehicles telling drivers to park somewhere else.
‘Excuse me, do y’all live here? Y’all know that it’s legal to park right here, right?’
The woman and Bri trade words before the disagreement rapidly becomes more heated.
‘We paid $1.5 million for our house, y’all’s graduation rates are 25 percent,’ the woman said.
Bri responded by noting that the couple lived in a historically Black neighborhood. The homeowner replied: ‘This is our neighborhood.’
Protests erupted over the weekend at a home along East 9th Street in Austin, near Huston-Tillotson University, after the homeowners were accused of telling students not to park in front of their house
‘We paid $1.5 million for our house, y’all’s graduation rates are 25 percent,’ said a woman who was confronted by a student
Bri repeatedly called the woman a Karen, while the homeowner threatened to contact police.
‘I can’t wait to put this online so everybody can know how you moved into this neighborhood and how you act towards the people who lived here,’ Bri said.
The argument became increasingly personal, with Bri repeatedly shouting at the husband to ‘get your wife.’
In the caption accompanying the video, Bri accused the couple of ‘harassing the Black students and professors’ who attempted to park near the house.
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‘Keep in mind people have been parking here for YEARS with no complaints and the neighbors are friendly and understanding,’ she wrote.
‘The fact that she degraded our school and said she paid 1.5 million dollars to gentrify our neighborhood and said we only have a 25 percent graduation rate is SO racist and disgusting.’
Bri said the woman was using her privilege against her as a Black woman.
‘Please if you know who this is, alert her job so people can be aware of how she behaves towards Black people,’ she added. ‘We are SO tired of the disrespect and danger to our lives.’
As the video continued to gain attention online, demonstrators gathered outside the home over the weekend. Protesters carried signs and chanted, ‘You bought a house, not our history, East Austin is ours,’ according to FOX 7.
The home is near Huston-Tillotson University, a historically Black college. Protesters held signs and chanted, ‘You bought a house, not our history, East Austin is ours’
Neighbors told the outlet that police officers were at the scene of the demonstrations, but the protests remained peaceful.
The City of Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department also outlined the parking regulations along East 9th Street.
‘Parking is allowed on those blocks of East 9th Street. While there are some areas where drivers are not allowed to park — such as around corner clearances, at intersections and in front of driveways — the curb is otherwise open for public parking,’ the department told the outlet.
The dispute has left Instagram users outraged, prompting thousands to side with Bri following her upload.
‘Yelling AND getting in your face? Sista, I’m sorry, but I’m glad it was you. That lady would’ve got West Coast cussed out immediately omg. SO GLAD you’re okay and safe. Those people are demonic,’ one user wrote.
‘Notice how quickly she brought up the graduation rates of the hbcu next to the house she just gentrified,’ another added.
‘The street belongs to the city. No one cares about how much you pay for your house. Quit writing on folks cars,’ a third said.