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Protestor holding a sign that reads "Free Paul Hernandez". The Austin Aqua Festival started drag boat races on the east end of Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake) in 1964. The very loud races had an adverse effect on nearby East Austin residents. The East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association, with leaders Paul Hernandez and Edward Rendon Sr. organized noisy, but peaceful protests calling for an end to the races. They were joined by El Centro Chicano and the Brown Berets. In 1978, when police broke up one protest Hernandez was beaten up badly. A widely published photograph shows Hernandez surrounded by plainclothes and uniformed law enforcement wielding billy clubs. Afterward a police officer was suspended for using excessive force and the Austin City Council abolished the drag boat races. The summer of 1978 was the last summer the boat races were held on Town Lake. Pablo-brutalized.jpg Hernandez helped the East Town Lake Citizens Neighborhood Association develop a plan to beautify the north shore of Town Lake east of IH-35 where the races had been held. The neglected area was improved using a grant the neighborhood received and became a green, recreational park.