Antonio Buehler

Antonio Buehler was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1977. He attended Pottsville Area High School in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he was an All-Anthracite football player.Dietz, Doyle (January 1, 1995). [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M_ghAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KqIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1238%2C269441 Berwick dominates big-school team]. Reading Eagle, p. D11. Buehler graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and later from the Stanford Graduate School of Business{{cite web | url=https://www.ouramericainitiative.com/educational-choices.html |title = Support Our Work on Educational Choices!|date = September 20, 2021}} and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.{{cite web|url=http://projects.iq.harvard.edu/tedxhgse/speakers-and-performers |title=Speakers and Performers|publisher=}} Buehler also served in the Iraq War.{{cite web|url=http://www.democracynow.org/2014/10/29/is_filming_a_police_officer_a |title=Is Filming a Police Officer a ""Domestic Threat""? Austin Activist on Trial for Videotaping an Arrest|website=Democracy Now!|publisher=}}

Buehler has given numerous talks on college admissions, alternative education, homeschooling and other education topics at schools, libraries, and conferences across the country.

In 2014, Buehler launched Abrome.{{cite web|url=http://abrome.com/ |title=Abrome|publisher=}} Initially, Abrome was an online education service, but as of 2016 it is now an alternative, progressive school in Austin, TX, that operates free of teachers, classrooms, testing, homework, or grades.{{cite web |url=https://www.altedaustin.com/alternative-school-directory/ |title= alternative school directory |accessdate=December 18, 2016}} Abrome claims to have gotten approximately 50% of their clients into Harvard and/or Stanford Universities, and 75% of their clients into a top ten college.{{cite web |url=http://www.abrome.com/college-acceptances/ |accessdate=June 11, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615131533/http://www.abrome.com/college-acceptances |archivedate=June 15, 2016 |title=Outcomes}}

In the early hours of New Year's Day 2012, Buehler, the designated driver that night, pulled into a 7-11 in Austin, TX for gas.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNVZDpGCKks |title=West Point Grad Arrested For Defending Woman Abused By Austin Police - |first=Mike|last=Hanson|date=January 4, 2012|publisher=|via=YouTube}} While fueling up, he and his passenger observed a DWI stop in progress, with a woman in high heels, the driver of the automobile, being subjected to a field sobriety test being conducted by an Austin police officer; according to Buehler, they then heard a female screaming and turned in time to see officer Robert Snider forcefully pulling another female from the passenger side of the vehicle, throwing her to the ground and pinning her arms behind her back.[http://austinist.com/2012/01/06/war_veteran_accuses_apd_officers_of.php War Veteran Accuses APD Officers of Assault on DWI Suspect: Austinist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201053619/http://austinist.com/2012/01/06/war_veteran_accuses_apd_officers_of.php |date=February 1, 2012 }} austinist.com January 6, 2012 Buehler yelled out to the police, asking them why they were assaulting her.[http://www.kvue.com/home/Two-APD-officers-accused-of-abuse-during-New-Years-arrest-136709358.html APD officers accused of abuse during New Year's arrest] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430050700/http://www.kvue.com/home/Two-APD-officers-accused-of-abuse-during-New-Years-arrest-136709358.html |date=April 30, 2012 }} kvue.com Austin After twisting her arms behind her back, the officers arrested her. Officer Patrick Oborski then approached Buehler, pushed him forcefully several times in the chest, and arrested him.[http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/war-veteran-antonio-buehler-takes-apd-years-melee/article13982/ War veteran Antonio Buehler continues fight with Austin Police] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825152834/http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/war-veteran-antonio-buehler-takes-apd-years-melee/article13982/ |date=August 25, 2012 }} digitaltexan.net[http://www.kvue.com/home/Buehler-in-court-on-harrassment-charge-140133903.html Buehler in court fighting New Year's Day charges] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901140450/http://www.kvue.com/home/Buehler-in-court-on-harrassment-charge-140133903.html |date=September 1, 2012 }} kvue.com Austin Oborski later claimed Buehler spat on him,[http://www.kvue.com/home/Buehler-hires-high-profile-attorney-to-fight-New-Years-Day-charges-138575094.html Buehler hires high-profile attorney to fight New Year's Day charges] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421035058/http://www.kvue.com/home/Buehler-hires-high-profile-attorney-to-fight-New-Years-Day-charges-138575094.html |date=April 21, 2012 }} kvue.com Austin a felony charge that carries up to a 10-year prison sentence.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120626193026/http://www.pixiq.com/article/austin-man-facing-10-years-in-prison Austin Man Facing 10 Years in Prison After Photographing Cops Making Arrest ] Pixiq Witness video evidence does not show Buehler spitting, Oborski did not wipe his face, and Austin Police Department (APD) spokesman Corporal Hipolito admitted to KEYE news that he could not see Buehler spitting on the officer.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVqZXmhot9w Austin Police Spokesman Says No Video Evidence Of Antonio Buehler Spitting On Officer Pat Oborski] YouTube[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4RMIeDgGfY No Spit! No Wipe! Officer Patrick Oborski Lies About Antonio Buehler Spitting In His Face!] YouTube

{{Quote box |quote=I don't feel vindicated, nor do I think I 'won.' The cops who committed crimes that night were never tried, arrested, fired, disciplined, or even reprimanded. Instead, Norma and I were charged with a total of six crimes we did not commit, and it took nearly three years to make them disappear. And I still have three more trials coming up for the 'crime' of filming the police. The city had eight prosecutors in the courtroom trying this case, and about a dozen police officers were in there to intimidate the jury. When cops and prosecutors are willing to expend such tremendous resources to prosecute a Class C Misdemeanor for political purposes, all Americans should fear their government. |source=—Antonio Buehler, following his acquittal on October 29, 2014, "after four days of proceedings and more than five hours of jury deliberation"[http://www.democracynow.org/2014/10/29/is_filming_a_police_officer_a Is Filming a Police Officer a "Domestic Threat"? Austin Activist on Trial for Videotaping an Arrest], DemocracyNow, October 29, 2014 |width=37% |bgcolor=#E9F7FF}}

After an online appeal by Buehler to find witnesses to the event, several witnesses came forward{{cite web|url=http://www.kens5.com/news/More-witnesses-come-forward-following-New-Years-Day-arrest-137218253.html |title=More witnesses come forward following New Year's Day Ausitn arrest of San Antonio woman | kens5.com San Antonio |accessdate=July 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125142238/http://www.kens5.com/news/More-witnesses-come-forward-following-New-Years-Day-arrest-137218253.html |archivedate=January 25, 2012 }} and a videorecording{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjZpJTwAS1I |title=Austin Police Department Incident|last=utube6688|date=January 3, 2012|publisher=|via=YouTube}} of the incident surfaced.[http://www.kvue.com/home/More-witnesses-come-forward-following-and-APD-New-Years-Day-arrest-137149443.html More witnesses come forward following New Year's Day arrest] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628201857/http://www.kvue.com/home/More-witnesses-come-forward-following-and-APD-New-Years-Day-arrest-137149443.html |date=June 28, 2012 }} kvue.com Austin

APD has yet to release the dashcam videos from Oborski or Snider's vehicles to the public. Nearly 8,200 people have joined the Free Antonio Buehler{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/350955711587953/ |title=Facebook |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=June 29, 2013}} Facebook page, with supporters flyering the city and organizing rallies in support of Buehler, and posting daily stories of American and international police abuse.[http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/army-ranger-antonio-buehler-supporters-protest-apd-headquarters/article16767/ Army Ranger Antonio Buehler and supporters protest at APD Headquarters] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717053508/http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/army-ranger-antonio-buehler-supporters-protest-apd-headquarters/article16767/ |date=July 17, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.facebook.com/groups/350955711587953/ |title=Facebook |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=June 29, 2013}}

Despite a half dozen witnesses, two videos and audio evidence of what happened on New Year's Day, the District Attorney did not convene a grand jury in 2012. His grand jury date was then postponed numerous times.[http://www.kvue.com/home/Antonio-Buehler-scheduled-for-court-144167535.html Antonio Buehler scheduled for court] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628003920/http://www.kvue.com/home/Antonio-Buehler-scheduled-for-court-144167535.html |date=June 28, 2012 }} kvue.com Austin The grand jury finally convened on March 5, 6 and 7, 2013. Four weeks later, the District Attorney finally informed the public that the grand jury failed to indict Antonio Buehler on any of the crimes with which he was charged.{{cite web|url=http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories/291257/district-attorney--no-felony-indictment-for-antonio-buehler |title=Spectrum News Austin|website=austin.ynn.com}}Antonio Buehler YNN Your News Now[http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/21859153/antonio-buehler-charged-for-incidents-with-apd Antonio Buehler charged for incidents with APD] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110084954/http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/21859153/antonio-buehler-charged-for-incidents-with-apd |date=January 10, 2014 }} myfoxaustin.com[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/grand-jury-decides-not-to-indict-activist-antonio-/nW968/ No felony indictments for activist Buehler, arresting officer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406125424/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/grand-jury-decides-not-to-indict-activist-antonio-/nW968/ |date=April 6, 2013 }} www.statesman.com

They instead indicted him on four Class C misdemeanors. Three for "failure to obey a lawful order" related to his New Year's Day incident, and two follow on arrests. The fourth indictment was for "interfering" in an incident in which he was never arrested. The grand jury also indicted Norma Pizana for resisting arrest. Pizana is the woman that Buehler felt was being abused on New Year's Day 2012.[https://www.traviscountytx.gov/stage/images/district_attorney/docs/Press_Releases/Archives/2013/OborskiBuehlerGJ.pdf Oborski/Buehler Press Release]

October 29, 2014, after an unprecedented four-day Class C Misdemeanor trial that spanned a full calendar week, Buehler was acquitted of charges and found not guilty of failing to comply with the order of a police officer on New Year's Day 2012."[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/after-juror-exit-judge-allows-activist-buehlers-ca/nhtks/ Buehler acquitted of failing to comply with officer's order] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030194025/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/after-juror-exit-judge-allows-activist-buehlers-ca/nhtks/# |date=October 30, 2014 }} Austin American-Statesman[http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-10-31/buehler-acquitted/ Buehler acquitted] www.austinchronicle.com October 31, 2014[http://njtoday.net/2014/10/29/fight-justice-waged-peacefully-americans-streets/ Fight justice waged peacefully americans streets] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108133710/http://njtoday.net/2014/10/29/fight-justice-waged-peacefully-americans-streets/ |date=November 8, 2014 }} njtoday.net, October 29, 2014 The trial was unique not only in its duration, but also in the resources invested into it by the state; the state had eight prosecutors in the courtroom and over a dozen police officers.{{cite web|url=http://austin.twcnews.com/content/news/305809/antonio-buehler-acquitted-of--failure-to-obey-/|title=Spectrum News Austin|website=austin.twcnews.com}}{{cite web|url=http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2014/10/antonio-buehler-found-guilty-austin-cop-breaks-blue-code-silence-testifying-behalf/|title=Antonio Buehler Found Not Guilty After Austin Cop Breaks Blue Code - Photography is Not a Crime|date=October 12, 2021|publisher=}}{{cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/antonio-buehler-acquitted-in-controversial-2012-ne/nhwFL/ |title=Antonio Buehler acquitted in controversial 2012 New Year's Day... | www.statesman.com |access-date=November 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101211820/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/antonio-buehler-acquitted-in-controversial-2012-ne/nhwFL/ |archive-date=November 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.defendingdissent.org/now/news/austin-cop-watcher-acquitted/ |title=Austin: Cop-Watcher Acquitted | Defending Dissent Foundation |accessdate=November 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101215231/http://www.defendingdissent.org/now/news/austin-cop-watcher-acquitted/ |archivedate=November 1, 2014 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-11-14/cop-fights-law-law-wins/|title=APD Officer Suspended After Defending Antonio Buehler|publisher=}}

On December 31, 2013, Buehler, while awaiting trial, sued the Austin Police Department, Police Chief Art Acevedo, Officer Patrick Oborski, Officer Robert Snider, SGT Adam Johnson and Officer Justin Berry for allegedly violating his civil rights beginning with his January 1, 2012, arrest and two additional arrests which occurred on August 26 and September 21, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/the-stream/the-stream-officialblog/2014/1/8/activist-sues-austinpoliceforrighttofilmarrests.html |title=Activist sues Austin police for right to film arrests |publisher= Al Jazeera America}}{{cite web|url=http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/local-activist-antonio-buehler-sues-austin-police-/nccCL/ |title=Local activist Antonio Buehler sues Austin police, officers... |publisher= www.statesman.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fox7austin.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110092704/http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/24387637/founder-of-peaceful-streets-project-files-suit-over-right-to-film-arrest|url-status=dead|title=FOX 7 Austin|date=April 24, 2020|archivedate=January 10, 2014|website=FOX 7 Austin}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/197418972/Peaceful-Streets-Complaint |title=Peaceful Streets Complaint Traffic Stop Damages|website=Scribd}}

{{Quote box |quote=We're in this for the long haul. And we're hopeful that it will eventually set a precedent that will prevent people from losing their right to hold the government and police accountable just because the prosecution convinces the grand jury to indict the individual on a bogus misdemeanor that the prosecution can't even win. |source=—Antonio Buehler, after announcing plans to appeal the dismissal of his civil lawsuit{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-02-23/buehlers-civil-case-dismissed-for-now/ |title=Buehler's Civil Case Dismissed, For Now|publisher=}} |width=37% |bgcolor=#E9F7FF}}

On June 2, 2014, the National Press Photographers Association filed an Amicus Brief[https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/buehler-austin-pd.pdf BRIEF FOR THE CATO INSTITUTE, NATIONAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION, AND FIVE MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AS AMICI CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONER] in support of Buehler's civil lawsuit.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.nppa.org/advocacy/2014/06/02/nppa-files-amicus-brief-supporting-right-to-photograph-and-record-police-in-public/|title=NPPA files Amicus Brief Supporting Right to Photograph and Record Police in Public NPPA Advocacy Committee|date=June 2, 2014|publisher=}}

On July 24, 2014, Federal Judge Mark Lane denied motions by the City of Austin to dismiss the case, finding that private citizens have the right to record officers in public places as they perform their official duties.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/crime-law/federal-judge-upholds-activist-antonio-buehlers-ri/ngnbp/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 28, 2014 |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728084322/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/crime-law/federal-judge-upholds-activist-antonio-buehlers-ri/ngnbp/ |url-status=dead }}[http://cloudfront-assets.reason.com/assets/db/14063077544714.pdf MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER] Lane also said the officers were not personally immune from allegations that they had arrested and searched him without probable cause.{{cite web|url=http://reason.com/blog/2014/07/25/federal-judge-to-camera-shy-austin-cops|title=Federal Judge to Camera-Shy Austin Cops: People Have a Right to Record You. Deal With It|date=July 25, 2014|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2014-08-01/buehler-lawsuit-victory/|title=Activist will sue city, Acevedo for civil rights violations|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=http://reason.com/archives/2015/06/23/the-right-to-record-walter-sco|title=The Right to Record Walter Scott's Death|date=June 23, 2015|publisher=}}

On February 20, 2015, Judge Mark Lane dismissed the lawsuit based on a Fifth Circuit precedent which stated that an indicted defendant lost their standing to sue.{{cite web|url=http://kxan.com/2015/02/20/charges-against-antonio-buehler-dropped-as-well-as-civil-suit-against-apd-dropped/|title=Charges against Antonio Buehler dropped as well as civil suit against APD|first=Calily|last=Bien|date=February 21, 2015|publisher=|access-date=February 21, 2015|archive-date=February 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222002347/http://kxan.com/2015/02/20/charges-against-antonio-buehler-dropped-as-well-as-civil-suit-against-apd-dropped/|url-status=dead}} In response to the dismissal, Buehler stated, “We have waited three years for justice, and we are willing to wait even longer to expose APD for the crime they have covered up.” He also noted that the Fifth Circuit precedent provided an incentive for prosecutors to protect corrupt and criminal law enforcement officers through the simple expedient of indicting an otherwise innocent defendant.{{cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/civil-rights-suit-over-filming-austin-officers-dis/nkGDb/ |title=Civil rights suit over filming Austin officers dismissed |publisher= |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221204356/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/civil-rights-suit-over-filming-austin-officers-dis/nkGDb/ |url-status=dead }} Buehler and his attorney appealed the decision on February 25, 2015.

On June 2, 2016, the Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans upheld Judge Mark Lane's decision to dismiss Buehler's lawsuit against the City of Austin and four Austin Police officers.{{cite web|url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/appeals-court-rejects-lawsuit-by-filmer-of-austin-/nrYnJ/ |title=Appeals court rejects lawsuit by activist who filmed Austin police|publisher=}}

On December 2, 2016, Buehler filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to have the case heard by the Supreme Court of the United States.{{cite web|url=http://certpool.com/dockets/16-729|title=Antonio Francis Buehler v. Austin Police Department, et al., 16-00729 |website=certpool.com}}

On January 4, 2017, the National Association for Public Defense, Cato Institute, National Press Photographers Association, and five media organizations filed Amicus briefs in support of Buehler's petition to the Supreme Court.{{cite web|url=https://www.cato.org/blog/when-you-sue-police-you-should-get-day-court|title=When You Sue the Police, You Should Get Your Day in Court|date=January 4, 2017|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nppa.org/news/nppa-cato-institute-file-scotus-brief-rights-record-police-activity|title=NPPA, Cato Institute File SCOTUS Brief on Rights to Record Police Activity|work=NPPA |date=January 5, 2017|publisher=}}

On February 2, 2017, SCOTUSblog, the leading Supreme Court news site, listed Buehler's lawsuit as the Petition of the Day.{{cite web|url=http://www.scotusblog.com/2017/02/petition-of-the-day-1085/|title=Petition of the day SCOTUS blog|date=February 2, 2017|publisher=}}

The Supreme Court ultimately did not grant a writ of certiorari for Buehler's suit.

On August 2, 2017, Buehler sued the City of Austin and Austin Police Department employees Randy Dear, Aljoe Garibay, Quint Sebek, Wesley Devries, John Leo Coffey, Monika McCoy, Ryan Adam, Allen Hicks, and Reginald Parker for allegedly violating his civil rights and stemming from his August 2, 2015, arrest in downtown Austin.{{Cite web |url=http://www.statesman.com/news/local/cop-watching-activist-antonio-buehler-sues-city-austin-police-officers/8ytXGa2GxysDC7huPJFjHO/ |title=Cop-watching activist Antonio Buehler sues city, Austin police of |access-date=August 5, 2017 |archive-date=August 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805221030/http://www.statesman.com/news/local/cop-watching-activist-antonio-buehler-sues-city-austin-police-officers/8ytXGa2GxysDC7huPJFjHO/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://kxan.com/2017/08/02/founder-of-peaceful-streets-project-files-suit-against-austin-9-officers/|title=Founder of Peaceful Streets Project files suit against Austin, 9 officers|first=Calily|last=Bien|date=August 2, 2017|publisher=}}

In the months following the incident, a group of activists from a range of backgrounds joined Buehler to start the Peaceful Streets Project, an all-volunteer, nonpartisan, grassroots effort for police accountability.[http://peacefulstreets.com/about/ About] peacefulstreets.com[http://occupyaustin.org/2012/05/meet-rubiks/ Occupy Austin | Occupy Wall Street » Blog Archive » Meet Rubiks...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626040634/http://occupyaustin.org/2012/05/meet-rubiks/ |date=June 26, 2012 }} May 2012[http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/18733729/victim-of-police-brutality-launches-project-citizens Alleged victim of police brutality launches Project Citizens] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623220738/http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/18733729/victim-of-police-brutality-launches-project-citizens |date=June 23, 2012 }} myfoxaustin.com The group holds free community trainings on knowing your rights during police encounters, and held a day-long Police Accountability Summit in Austin, TX on July 14, 2012, where they handed out 100 handheld video-cameras to trained activists who now actively film police encounters with residents of Austin.[http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories/285823/peaceful-streets-project-distributes-100-cameras-to-record-police Peaceful Streets Project distributes 100 cameras to record police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720023603/http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories/285823/peaceful-streets-project-distributes-100-cameras-to-record-police |date=July 20, 2012 }}, YNN - Your News Now{{cite web|url=https://www.fox7austin.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721212601/http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/19027249/grouop-holds-first-police-accountability-summit|url-status=dead|title=FOX 7 Austin|date=April 24, 2020|archivedate=July 21, 2012|website=FOX 7 Austin}}[http://www.copblock.org/18384/peaceful-streets-project/ Peaceful Streets Project is Leading the Way], Cop Block[http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/antonio-buehler-steps-campaign/article37848/#.UBnjM7SXR3U Antonio Buehler steps up his campaign on APD] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101234047/http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/antonio-buehler-steps-campaign/article37848/#.UBnjM7SXR3U |date=November 1, 2013 }} digitaltexan.net, 2012[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eopoUl-wssw Peaceful Streets Project is Leading the Way] YouTube The Peaceful Streets Project has also stepped up efforts to work with and ally with other community organizations, and have participated in protests in solidarity with victims of police abuse nationally.[http://blip.tv/zgraphix/rally-against-police-abuse-in-solidarity-with-anaheim-ca-6280914 Watch Rally Against Police Abuse in Solidarity with Anaheim, CA] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130173904/http://blip.tv/zgraphix/rally-against-police-abuse-in-solidarity-with-anaheim-ca-6280914 |date=January 30, 2013 }}. blip.tv The Peaceful Streets Project has a "Strong" social media presence with over 5,100 YouTube[https://www.youtube.com/user/PeacefulStreets Peaceful Streets] YouTube subscribers, over 4,300 followers on Twitter[https://twitter.com/PeacefulStreets PeacefulStreets] Twitter and over 20,400 likes on Facebook.[https://www.facebook.com/PeacefulStreets PeacefulStreets] facebook

Buehler's efforts to expose what he considers to be police violence and the inherent corruption of the justice system[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJCNfTUvF5M Antonio Buehler Exposes The APD Internal Affairs Coverup For The Lies Of Oborski And Snider] YouTube[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rA-g3Kaqas Antonio Buehler And Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo On KLBJ "Dudley And Bob Show"] YouTube have resulted in numerous bloggers taking up his cause.{{cite web|url=http://thetimetimes.com/2012/07/08/austin-police-dept-corruption-exposed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221175922/http://thetimetimes.com/2012/07/08/austin-police-dept-corruption-exposed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2014|title=Austin Police Dept Corruption Exposed - The Time Times|date=February 21, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.jad-davis.com/wordpress/?p=1187|title=A Typical Crime with an Atypical Victim - The jVerse|access-date=August 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403095344/http://www.jad-davis.com/wordpress/?p=1187|archive-date=April 3, 2013|url-status=dead}}[http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/06/29/1104400/-A-Veteran-Faces-Jail-Time-for-Rising-Up-Against-Injustice A Veteran Faces Jail Time for Rising Up Against Injustice], June 26, 2012. dailykos.com[http://www.americandailyherald.com/pundits/glenn-horowitz/item/antonio-buehler-wants-peaceful-streets-for-everyone Antonio Buehler Wants Peaceful Streets for Everyone] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022021805/http://www.americandailyherald.com/pundits/glenn-horowitz/item/antonio-buehler-wants-peaceful-streets-for-everyone |date=October 22, 2012 }} americandailyherald.com In addition, numerous cities around the country reached out to Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project looking to set up local franchises. Peaceful Streets Project chapters were set up in nearly a dozen cities to include Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, New York City, Manchester, Honolulu, San Antonio and Eunice, LA. Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project decided to stop supporting Peaceful Streets Projects in other cities due to concerns over the politics of the people leading those efforts.

Buehler has continued to wage a public fight against his criminal charges. He has claimed that the city and the Austin Police Department are intentionally engaged in a cover-up and that corruption runs throughout the city government and the police department.

On June 24, 2013, Fox 7 ran a piece on Antonio Buehler wherein the President of the Austin Police Association alluded to possible violence in the future should Buehler continue to escalate his cop watching tactics.{{cite web|url=http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/22672516/crimewatch-apa-fears-groups-efforts-to-keep-an-eye-on-police-may-lead-to-violence |title=Crimewatch: APA fears group's efforts to keep an eye on police M |accessdate=June 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908235158/http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/22672516/crimewatch-apa-fears-groups-efforts-to-keep-an-eye-on-police-may-lead-to-violence |archivedate=September 8, 2013 }} [Crimewatch: APA fears group's efforts to keep an eye on police may lead to violence] The Peaceful Streets Project responded by organizing several more public cop watch events, Know Your Rights Trainings and a national police accountability summit in Austin on August 17, 2013.[http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2013-08-16/seale-and-balko-visit-peaceful-streets/ Seal and Balko visit peaceful streets], austinchronicle.com, August 16, 2013

On April 12, 2014, Buehler spoke about the Peaceful Streets Project and police abuse at a TEDx event at Harvard.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6m4ulvfZ2M Action and Empathy] YouTube

On January 22, 2015, CBS News highlighted Antonio Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project as one of two copwatch groups patrolling in Texas.[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/policing-the-police-and-adding-guns-into-the-mix/ As groups police the police, some add guns to the mix], CBS News, January 22, 2015

On May 9, 2015, Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and The Texas Tribune released collaborative pieces on the direct action tactic of Filming the Police, with a focus on the Peaceful Streets Project.[https://www.revealnews.org/article/texas-a-flashpoint-in-debate-over-right-to-film-police/ Texas a flashpoint in debate over right to film police], revealnews.org, May 9, 2015[http://www.texastribune.org/2015/05/09/reveal-story-1/ Texas a Flashpoint in Debate Over Right to Film Police], The Texas Tribune, May 9, 2015

On August 20, 2015, CityLab from The Atlantic released a piece centered on Antonio Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project about the risks of filming the police, despite the legality of doing so.[http://www.citylab.com/crime/2015/08/still-dangerous-record-police-america/401795/ The Danger in Recording a Cop], CityLab, August 20, 2015

On November 25, 2015, Playboy did a longform article on cop watching, which opened and closed with Antonio Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project.[http://www.playboy.com/articles/a-new-breed-of-activists-are-turning-cameras-on-the-police A New Breed of Activists are Turning Cameras on the Police], Playboy, November 25, 2015 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128171639/http://www.playboy.com/articles/a-new-breed-of-activists-are-turning-cameras-on-the-police |date=January 28, 2016 }}

On February 26, 2016, Pivot.TV's Truth and Power docuseries built an episode around Buehler's history and work with the Peaceful Streets Project.[http://www.takepart.com/video/2016/02/19/citizen-journalist-documents-police-truth-and-power-episode-6-clip Citizen Journalist Documents Police] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228035416/http://www.takepart.com/video/2016/02/19/citizen-journalist-documents-police-truth-and-power-episode-6-clip |date=February 28, 2016 }}, Truth and Power, February 26, 2016

On March 10, 2016, Showtime's DarkNet docuseries featured Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project.[http://www.sho.com/dark-net/season/1/episode/8#/index REVOLT], DarkNet, March 10, 2016

In December 2017, The Progressive featured Buehler and his work with the Peaceful Streets Project and Abrome in a three-page feature.[http://progressive.org/magazine/standing-up-to-the-police-antonio-buehler/ Antonio Buehler, Cop Watcher], The Progressive, January 4, 2018

In the early morning hours of August 24, 2012, while cop watching with members of the Peaceful Streets Project in downtown Austin, Buehler recorded an undercover officer, Justin Berry, helping uniformed police officers arrest women for underage drinking. Although Buehler wasn't arrested for filming Berry, he was later indicted on a Class C Misdemeanor charge of "interference with public duties." Buehler was scheduled to stand trial on January 6, 2015. On January 2, 2015, the City of Austin requested the trial judge dismiss all charges against Buehler.[http://thelibertybeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10738827_389967334496076_2129256336_n.pdf State vs. Antonio Buehler]{{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} thelibertybeat.com, January 2015

In the early morning hours of August 26, 2012, while cop watching with members of the Peaceful Streets Project in downtown Austin, Buehler was arrested by Officer Justin Berry for "interfering with public duties" while recording an arrest.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkDqVv1sj5M|title=Antonio Buehler again on police radar|last=kxan|date=August 27, 2012|publisher=|via=YouTube}}{{cite web|url=http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/austi-activist-antonio-buehler-arrested-recording-police-actions/article39149/#.UEQiXtZlRU0 |title=Austin activist Antonio Buehler arrested again for recording police |accessdate=September 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109222028/http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/austi-activist-antonio-buehler-arrested-recording-police-actions/article39149/ |archivedate=January 9, 2014 }} The Digital Texan He was released about 17 hours later. Austin Police Department claims that he refused to back away from an arrest, causing the suspect of the arrest to become uncontrollable. Buehler claims that APD was targeting him.{{cite web|url=http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/antonio-buehler-claims-austin-police-targeting/article39388/#.Us9XQLTWvgy |title=Activist Antonio Buehler claims Austin police targeting him |accessdate=January 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110002826/http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/antonio-buehler-claims-austin-police-targeting/article39388/ |archivedate=January 10, 2014 }} The Digital Texan APD refused to return Buehler's camera to him after the incident, claiming that it was of evidentiary value. Another member of the Peaceful Streets Project was able to videorecord the arrest and posted it online before Buehler was released from jail.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPkCq3AXWmc YouTube Buehler was scheduled to stand trial on February 23, 2015. On February 19, 2015, the City of Austin requested the trial judge dismiss all remaining charges against Buehler.[http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-02-19/final-charges-dropped-for-buehler/ Final charges dropped for Buehler], austinchronicle.com, February 19, 2015

In the early morning hours of September 21, 2012, while cop watching with members of the Peaceful Streets Project in downtown Austin, Buehler was again arrested, this time with fellow police accountability activist Sarah Dickerson[http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/peaceful-streets-project-leader-antonio-buehler-arrested-recording-austin-police/article40293/ Activist Antonio Buehler arrested again by Austin police] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101215628/http://digitaltexan.net/2012/austin-local-news/peaceful-streets-project-leader-antonio-buehler-arrested-recording-austin-police/article40293/ |date=November 1, 2013 }} digitaltexan.net Video indicates that both Buehler and Dickerson were silently filming and were further back than APD's self-described desired distance from a scene. According to Buehler and other witnesses, after refusing an order to walk toward the arresting officer and the suspect in order to join other members of the Peaceful Street Project, and despite continually asking how far he needed to move back, and continuing to move back away from the scene, Buehler was given an ultimatum to either join other members of the Peaceful Streets Project, or leave. When Buehler said he was leaving, he was arrested. As Dickerson filmed Buehler's arrest, she too was arrested. Both were charged with "interfering with public duties."[http://dailytexanonline.com/news/2012/09/25/a-new-lense-for-arrest A new lense for arrest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311090436/http://dailytexanonline.com/news/2012/09/25/a-new-lense-for-arrest |date=March 11, 2013 }} The Daily Texan, September 25, 2012[http://my.firedoglake.com/kitoconnell/2012/09/24/peacefulstreets-project-more-unconstitutional-copwatching-arrests-in-austin/ More Unconstitutional Copwatching Arrests in Austin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023224920/http://my.firedoglake.com/kitoconnell/2012/09/24/peacefulstreets-project-more-unconstitutional-copwatching-arrests-in-austin/ |date=October 23, 2012 }}, MyFDL, September 25, 2012{{cite web|url=http://www.copblock.org/21415/activists-response-to-arrests-of-herself-and-antonio-buehler/|title=Activist's Response to Arrests of Herself and Antonio Buehler - Cop Block|date=September 24, 2012|publisher=}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XT2kqBlr5k The THIRD False Arrest of Antonio Buehler (Founder, Peaceful Streets Project)] YouTube Austin Police Department confiscated both Buehler and Dickerson's cameras and have not yet returned them. This most recent arrest has drawn the ire of the National Press Photographers Association which sent a letter to Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo criticizing the actions of APD toward those who film police.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120927000241/http://www.pixiq.com/article/austin-police-need-to-be-investigated-by-usdoj Austin Police Revealing Pattern of Abuse Against Citizens who Record], Pixiq, September 27, 2012

On March 13, 2013, Buehler was arrested for disorderly conduct in Gonzales, Texas, for telling a police officer to "go fuck yourself."[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC2AgYL1zSY Antonio Buehler Arrested In Gonzales Texas] YouTube On June 5, 2013, Buehler defended himself pro se. After a seven-hour trial, the jury found him guilty and assessed a $1 fine.[http://thelibertybeat.com/peaceful-streets-project-founder-antonio-buehler-walks-with-1-fine-in-latest-trial/ Peaceful Streets Project Founder Antonio Buehler Walks with $1 Fine in Latest Trial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628072909/http://thelibertybeat.com/peaceful-streets-project-founder-antonio-buehler-walks-with-1-fine-in-latest-trial/ |date=June 28, 2013 }} The Liberty Beat Buehler was awarded a new trial which began on February 23, 2015, at Gonzales County Court. A mistrial was declared due to an error on the judge's part, which was caught by defense counsel. A new appeal trial was scheduled for March 30, 2015. That trial was postponed at the request of the prosecutor. A new trial was then scheduled for May 20, 2015. That trial was postponed after the court informed the defense that they had forgotten to send out jury summonses. The next trial date was set for June 25, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/06/peaceful-streets-founder-antonio-buehler-heads-to-trial/|title=Peaceful Streets Founder Antonio Buehler Heads to Trial - Photography is Not a Crime|date=October 12, 2021 |publisher=}} On June 25, 2015, after a trial in which the prosecution only called one witness, and the defense called a half dozen, the jury deadlocked at 3-3 and the Judge declared a mistrial.[http://www.gonzalescannon.com/articles/2015/07/07/jury-split-first-amendment-trial Jury split on first amendment trial] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811075007/http://gonzalescannon.com/articles/2015/07/07/jury-split-first-amendment-trial# |date=August 11, 2015 }} The Gonzales Cannon A few weeks later, the prosecutor requested that the charge be dismissed because he would be "[u]nable to prove case beyond a reasonable doubt."[http://www.gonzalescannon.com/articles/2015/07/24/charges-buehler-trial-dropped Charges in Buehler trial dropped] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730034032/http://gonzalescannon.com/articles/2015/07/24/charges-buehler-trial-dropped |date=July 30, 2015 }} The Gonzales Cannon In a statement, Buehler stated, “It has become clear to me that in order for people to see justice within the system, they need to have tremendous resources in terms of connections, finances, and time.” [http://thelibertybeat.com/mistrial-declared-in-antonio-buehler-free-speech-appeal/ Mistrial Declared in Antonio Buehler Free Speech Appeal] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224213313/http://thelibertybeat.com/mistrial-declared-in-antonio-buehler-free-speech-appeal/ |date=February 24, 2015 }} The Liberty Beat

{{Quote box |quote=I think this would have been a great opportunity for people to once again see how the Austin Police Department and city prosecutors use city ordinances to victimize people who have already been victimized by the police. It also would have opened people's eyes to how corrupt the grand jury process can be. |source=—Antonio Buehler, following the first dismissal on January 5, 2015{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-01-05/buehlers-case-dismissed/|title=Buehler's Case Dismissed|publisher=}} |width=50% |bgcolor=#E9F7FF}}

Between jury trials scheduled for January and February 2015, the outstanding criminal charges stemming from the August 24, 2015, August 26, 2015, and September 21, 2015, incidents were dropped. On January 5, 2015, the state's motion to drop one set of charges was accepted.[http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-01-05/buehlers-case-dismissed/ Buehler's Case Dismissed], austinchronicle.com, January 5, 2015 The final set of charges pending against Buehler were similarly dropped on February 19, 2015, "clearing the way for a meeting between city prosecutors and the police accountability activist in federal court" on March 2, 2015.[http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-02-19/final-charges-dropped-for-buehler/ Final Charges Dropped], austinchronicle.com, March 2, 2015 On February 20, one day after the last of the charges were dropped, "Judge Mark Lane dismissed Buehler's federal civil lawsuit against the Austin Police Department and its officers."[http://kxan.com/2015/02/20/charges-against-antonio-buehler-dropped-as-well-as-civil-suit-against-apd-dropped/ Charges against Antonio Buehler dropped as well as civil suit against APD] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222002347/http://kxan.com/2015/02/20/charges-against-antonio-buehler-dropped-as-well-as-civil-suit-against-apd-dropped/ |date=February 22, 2015 }}, kxan.com, February 20, 2015[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/civil-rights-suit-over-filming-austin-officers-dis/nkGDb/ Civil rights suit over filming Austin officers dismissed] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221204356/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/civil-rights-suit-over-filming-austin-officers-dis/nkGDb/ |date=February 21, 2015 }} statesman.com

On August 2, 2015, Buehler was cop watching with members of the Peaceful Streets Project and Film the Police-Portland in downtown Austin. At multiple points throughout the night, Austin Police officers approached him and told him to step back while he was filming them. At approximately 1:45 a.m., SGT Randy Dear called his subordinate officers into a huddle, and when he emerged he approached Buehler again and told him that "the next time we go to a disturbance and y'all get in the way ... the next time you're interfering, you're going to be arrested." When Buehler asked for a clarification on how what the cop watchers were doing qualified as interference, Dear said, "You've been warned, sir."[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ktkUingcOs APD arrests Antonio Buehler & Mike Bluehair (Camera 1)] YouTube Buehler then turned to CPL Quint Sebek and Officer Aljoe Garibay to get clarification, and Sebek responded by filming Buehler with his phone, and Garibay stated that Buehler was interfering by being in their way when they were rushing toward disturbances.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIFItJeCM5c APD arrests Antonio Buehler & Mike Bluehair (Camera 2)] YouTube Dear then came back, positioned himself inches away from Buehler, and ignored Buehler.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvE8qGIUPm0 APD arrests Antonio Buehler & Mike Bluehair (Camera 3)] YouTube A little over one minute later, Dear turned to Buehler and told him that he had to step back because they were about to go on patrol. While protesting what he believed was an illegal order, Buehler stepped away from Dear, but was still arrested. He was later charged with "interference with public duties" and "resisting arrest."[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/austin-police-arrest-activist-antonio-buehler-afte/nnBph/ Austin police arrest activist Antonio Buehler after recording officers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917014727/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/austin-police-arrest-activist-antonio-buehler-afte/nnBph/ |date=September 17, 2015 }} Austin American-Statesman[http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/08/austin-police-arrest-peaceful-streets-founder-antonio-buehler-again-for-recording-cops-in-public/ Austin Police Arrest Peaceful Streets Founder Antonio Buehler Again for Recording Cops in Public] PINAC As Buehler was trying to hand off his cameras to other Peaceful Streets Project members, Mike "Bluehair" Smith from Film the Police-Portland was also arrested for "interference with public duties."[http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Austin-Activist-Antonio-Buehler-Arrested-179462.shtml Austin Activist Antonio Buehler Released from Jail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812194906/http://keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Austin-Activist-Antonio-Buehler-Arrested-179462.shtml |date=August 12, 2015 }} KEYE TV In the days following the arrest, Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project publicly disputed the claims made by the Austin Police Department. They ultimately produced five videos of the incident that they claim to disprove the claims made by the Officer Garibay in his arrest affidavit.[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/austin-police-buehler-dispute-events-that-led-to-a/nnCLn/ Austin police, Buehler dispute events that led to activist's arrest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004070120/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/austin-police-buehler-dispute-events-that-led-to-a/nnCLn/ |date=October 4, 2015 }} Austin American-Statesman[http://peacefulstreets.com/2015/08/press-release-breaking-videos-austin-police-affidavit-proven-false-by-peaceful-streets-project-videos-video-proves-illegal-and-unconstitutional-arrests/ Austin Police Affidavit Proven False by Peaceful Streets Project Videos; Video Proves Illegal and Unconstitutional Arrests] Peaceful Streets Project[http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/08/austin-police-account-of-antonio-buehlers-arrest-disproven-by-peaceful-streets-videos/ Austin Police Account of Antonio Buehler's Arrest Disproven by Peaceful Streets Videos] PINAC Buehler's lawyer, Millie Thompson told the media that APD was repeating their tactic of arresting Buehler and others for legally filming them in public.[http://www.kvue.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/02/austin-police-arrest-antonio-buehler-local-activist/31026841/ Activist Antonio Buehler released after weekend arrest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920075249/http://www.kvue.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/02/austin-police-arrest-antonio-buehler-local-activist/31026841/ |date=September 20, 2015 }} KVUE[http://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2015-08-07/buehler-arrested/ Buehler Arrested] The Austin Chronicle

The Austin Police Department and the Travis County Attorney's Office issued a joint statement saying that they were dropping the charges against Buehler on November 13, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://kxan.com/2015/11/13/apd-drops-august-charges-against-antonio-buehler/|title=APD drops August charges against Antonio Buehler|first=Calily|last=Bien|date=November 13, 2015|publisher=}} Currently, Buehler has no outstanding criminal charges.

In May 2015, Buehler was nominated to serve on the Austin Public Safety Commission by Council Member Don Zimmerman.[http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/activist-antonio-buehler-nominated-for-austin-publ/nk8ff/ Activist Antonio Buehler nominated for Austin Public Safety Commission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506205912/http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local-govt-politics/activist-antonio-buehler-nominated-for-austin-publ/nk8ff/ |date=May 6, 2015 }}, www.statesman.com, May 4, 2015[http://kxan.com/2015/05/04/antonio-buehler-nominated-for-public-safety-commission/ Police critic Antonio Buehler nominated for Public Safety Commission] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529175519/http://kxan.com/2015/05/04/antonio-buehler-nominated-for-public-safety-commission/ |date=May 29, 2015 }}, KXAN, May 4, 2015 The Austin Police Association immediately began lobbying the city council to keep Buehler off of the commission.[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10101638642668753&set=a.863957480123.2357161.200034&type=1 APA email] Facebook, May 7, 2015 {{User-generated source|certain=yes|date=March 2022}} while Buehler claimed that his place on the commission was needed in the interest of diversity of thought.[http://www.myfoxaustin.com/clip/11468311/antonio-buehler-in-studio-interview Antonio Buehler in-studio interview] myfoxaustin.com, May 7, 2015 After hearing from nearly a dozen community member supporting the nomination, Buehler said that City Council ultimately buckled under the pressure from the Austin Police Association and refused to vote on his nomination by not approving a waiver to his residency status.https://twitter.com/austintexasgov/status/596356185277800448 www.twitter.com/austintexasgov, May 7, 2015[http://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2015-05-08/council-says-no-to-buehler/ Council Says "No" to Buehler, Refuses to waive residency requirement to sit on commission], austinchronicle.com, May 8, 2015[http://video.statesman.com/Antonio-Buehler-speaks-after-City-Council-vote-29033627?playlistId=15517 Antonio Buehler speaks after City Council vote], www.statesman.com, May 8, 2015 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510230026/http://video.statesman.com/Antonio-Buehler-speaks-after-City-Council-vote-29033627?playlistId=15517 |date=May 10, 2015 }} Eight minutes later the City Council approved the same waiver for another commission nominee.https://twitter.com/austintexasgov/status/596358128209403905 www.twitter.com/austintexasgov, May 7, 2015

Immediately following the killing of a Deputy in Houston, TX, Buehler used the Peaceful Streets Project Facebook page to post a controversial statement that read, "Pig executed in Houston. Probably shouldn't have joined a criminal gang. His bad decisions caught up with him. Blame his parents. Or the scores of thousands of pigs who abuse people every month in America. #thuglife".{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/PeacefulStreets/posts/965572003502696|title=Peaceful Streets Project|website=www.facebook.com}} Austin Police Chief Hubert Art Acevedo reposted a screenshot of the post on his Twitter account with the commentary, "This is how mind of so-called peaceful activist works & why police officers don't want him inches from their face."{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/artacevedo/status/637638327814897664|title=Chief Art Acevedo on Twitter|publisher=}} Acevedo's statement repeated the narrative that was used to justify Buehler's arrest earlier that month, that Buehler claims were later disproven by video that the Peaceful Streets Project released.{{cite web|url=http://peacefulstreets.com/2015/08/press-release-breaking-videos-austin-police-affidavit-proven-false-by-peaceful-streets-project-videos-video-proves-illegal-and-unconstitutional-arrests/|title=BREAKING VIDEOS: Austin Police Affidavit Proven False by Peaceful Streets Project Videos; Video Proves Illegal and Unconstitutional Arrests|publisher=}} Nonetheless, the media ran multiple stories questioning Buehler's choice of words.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/herman-peaceful-streets-unpeaceful-tweets/nnWcB/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=June 11, 2016 |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809034310/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/herman-peaceful-streets-unpeaceful-tweets/nnWcB/ |url-status=dead }} Buehler argued that he was using the same rhetoric police used after they killed suspects to highlight their hypocrisy.{{cite web|url=http://peacefulstreets.com/2015/08/the-hypocrisy-of-the-police-and-their-supporters-perpetuate-violence/|title=The hypocrisy of the police and their supporters perpetuate violence|publisher=}} Buehler and the Peaceful Streets Project would repeatedly tweet Chief Hubert Art Acevedo over the following months to highlight that Deputy Goforth was killed while cheating on his wife with a mistress at a gas station while he was supposed to be on duty,{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/miles-goforth/article/Defense-Goforth-was-meeting-a-mistress-at-the-6519432.php|title=Defense: Goforth was meeting a woman at the time of his death|newspaper=Chron |date=September 21, 2015|publisher= |last1=Glenn |first1=Mike }}{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/2439959/darren-goforth-deputy-slain-at-gas-station-was-with-his-mistress-when-killed-affidavit-shows/|title=Darren Goforth: Deputy Slain At Gas Station Was With His Mistress When Killed, Affidavit Shows|date=September 22, 2015|publisher=}} arguing that Deputy Goforth did indeed make a series of bad decisions.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PeacefulStreets/status/676855112225034240|title=Peaceful Streets on Twitter|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/PeacefulStreets/status/676856822288941056|title=Peaceful Streets on Twitter|publisher=}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/bgreymatter/status/668847811169943553|title=Baron of Greymatter on Twitter|publisher=}} Chief Hubert Art Acevedo would later go to the media to again complain about Buehler's words after he responded to an Austin Police Officer getting shot in April 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.kvue.com/news/local/acevedo-blasts-peaceful-streets-comments/119479965|title=APD Chief Acevedo blasts Peaceful Streets comments|work=KVUE |publisher=}}

Buehler has repeatedly claimed that "all cops are cowards", and that "cops are terrorist scum." His repeated use of these phrases has irked his critics, including Austin Police Chief Acevedo and Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday. On July 8, 2016, the German paper Kurier ran an article about Buehler calling cops terrorists{{cite web|url=http://kurier.at/chronik/weltchronik/copwatcher-in-texas-polizisten-sind-terroristen/208.626.122 |title=Copwatcher in Texas: "Polizisten sind Terroristen"|first=Thomas|last=Trescher|date=July 8, 2016|language=German|publisher=}} in the aftermath of the high-profile police killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and the killing of five Dallas Police Officers by Micah Xavier Johnson.

In 2012, less than two months after Officer Justin Berry arrested Buehler, Berry authored an alarmist memo and powerpoint presentation calling police accountability groups domestic terrorists. In emails obtained through a FOIA request by Buehler and published online, Berry claimed that a “nationwide movement has begun against the United States Government and all government officials including those at the local level and the police officers employed by these agencies.”

Berry claimed Austin activists, led by Buehler, were "basically ... basing all their movements" off of the film "V for Vendetta" and are manufacturing problems in order to bring about a revolution. He listed a range of activist groups in the email to his superiors, including the Peaceful Streets Project, Occupy Austin, Texans for Accountable Government, and the Institute for Justice.{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Meg |date=October 1, 2020 |title=A Police Union Vice President Hopes Fear of the Defund Movement Will Propel Him to the Texas House |work=The Appeal |url=https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/texas-state-house-justin-berry-austin-defund-police/}}

Berry submitted the powerpoint presentation to the regional fusion center, but was told by the fusion center that they were not going to take such claims seriously.

In July 2012, Buehler was chosen to receive the Texans for Accountable Government annual Activist of the Year award.[http://www.tagtexas.org/ Texans for Accountable Government] Official TAG Website In November 2012, Austin Chronicle readers voted Antonio Buehler as Austin's Best Activist and the Peaceful Streets Project as the Best Grassroots Movement for 2012.[http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Awards/BestOfAustin?Award=1369205 Best Activist - Antonio Buehler - Best of Austin - 2012] The Austin Chronicle[http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Awards/BestOfAustin?Award=1369194 Best Grassroots Movement - Peaceful Streets Project - Best of Austin - 2012] The Austin Chronicle Buehler was invited to give a TEDx talk about his experiences combating police abuse at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on April 12, 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6m4ulvfZ2M|title=Action and empathy: Antonio Buehler at TEDxHGSE|last=TEDx Talks|date=May 4, 2014|publisher=|via=YouTube}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.abrome.com/}}
• [http://www.democracynow.org/2014/10/29/is_filming_a_police_officer_a Is Filming a Police Officer a "Domestic Threat"? Austin Activist on Trial for Videotaping an Arrest] - video report by Democracy Now!, October 29, 2014
• [https://www.revealnews.org/article/texas-a-flashpoint-in-debate-over-right-to-film-police/ Texas a flashpoint in debate over right to film police] - investigative report by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, May 9, 2015
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160128171639/http://www.playboy.com/articles/a-new-breed-of-activists-are-turning-cameras-on-the-police A New Breed of Activists Are Turning Cameras on the Police] - investigative report by Playboy, November 25, 2015
• [http://progressive.org/magazine/standing-up-to-the-police-antonio-buehler/ Antonio Buehler, Cop Watcher] by The Progressive, January 4, 2018

{{DEFAULTSORT:Buehler, Antonio}}

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