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Protesters calling for defunding APD gather outside Austin city manager's home

City Manager Spencer Cronk is expected to present a budget proposal to Austin City Council next week.

AUSTIN, Texas — Protesters are again calling for Austin city leaders to slash funding for the Austin Police Department.

On Thursday morning, protesters gathered outside the house of Austin City Manager Spencer Cronk.

Advocacy groups, including Grassroots Leadership and Texas Advocates for Justice, led the protest.

RELATED: Council approves Austin police reforms amid ongoing police brutality protests

The groups are asking for APD's funding to be cut by 50%, or about $200 million, in the next budget. They want to see that money go toward community health resources and low-income housing.

On June 11, city councilmembers unanimously passed a resolution that took aim at APD's budget and would ban adding officers and eliminate the sworn positions that APD can’t reasonably fill this year or next. It also directed Cronk to not include any additional funding for militarized equipment in the upcoming budget.

RELATED: Austin city manager outlines actionable steps to address systemic inequities in policing

Cronk is set to present a budget proposal to city councilmembers on Monday.

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