Hundreds rally in protest of Austin I-35 expansion project

Over 300 protesters gather for a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

A sign is left on the ground before a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

Austin resident Anna Derengowski participates in a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

Over 300 protesters gather for a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

District 3 Austin City Council member José Velásquez speaks at a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

Over 300 protesters gather for a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

UT student Alexandra Meub participates in a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

District 9 Austin City Council member Zohaib Qadri speaks at a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

Andres Orona Jr., an Austin resident since the late 1980s, participates in a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. "I don't complain about change, but I think there are different ways to go about it. I don't think the highway expansion is the only solution." Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

District 8 Austin City Council member and mayor pro tem Paige Ellis speaks at a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.

Protesters participate in a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 in Austin. Rethink35 is a nonprofit organization opposing the Austin I-35 expansion project.