Law enforcement officials on April 29 began arresting pro-Palestinian protesters who were setting up tents at the University of Texas–Austin.
“Who’s Lawn? Our Lawn,” the group chanted.
By 2 p.m. local time, at least three people had been taken into custody, according to the local newspaper. The Epoch Times reached out to the Travis County district attorney’s office for more information but didn’t receive a reply by press time.
The latest protest broke out shortly after university faculty held a silent vigil at noon honoring the loss of education life in Gaza, and after a rally against the closure of the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion office, as required by a new Texas law, that was held at 12:15 p.m.
The pro-Palestinian protesters began setting up tents and taking over the campus lawn despite notices from the university police ordering them to disperse.
“For those participating in the South Mall event, I am Assistant Chief Shane Streepy and I represent the University of Texas at Austin Police Department. Your conduct is in violation of Penal Code Sections 42.01 Disorderly Conduct, 42.02 Riot, 42.03 Obstructing a Highway or other passageway, 30.05 Criminal Trespass,” the notice read, according to officials.
“I command you in the name of the University of Texas Police Department to disperse, and if you don’t, you shall be arrested for Violation of Penal code Section 42.01 Disorderly Conduct, 42.02 Riot, 42.03 Obstructing a Highway or other passageway, 30.05 criminal Trespass.”
Supporters Call for Reinforcements
A university spokesperson said on April 29 that “several protesters” were arrested after the group allegedly ignored university administrators and law enforcement’s repeated orders to comply with institutional rules and to take down the tents. The spokesperson said that “baseball-size rocks were found strategically placed within the encampment.”“After protesters ignored repeated directives from both the administration and law enforcement officers to comply with Institutional Rules and remove tents assembled on the University’s South Lawn, then physically engaged with and verbally assaulted Dean of Students staff who attempted to confiscate [the rocks], UT and partner law enforcement agencies dismantled an encampment and arrested several protesters,” the spokesperson said, adding that the “majority of protesters are believed to be unaffiliated with the university.”
On April 29, the Palestine Solidarity Committee student group, which organized the recent protests, shared a video posted by another account on Instagram called Palestinian Youth Movement.
The post called for “all hands on decks” in Austin and showed footage of police and protesters on campus property.
“🚨EMERGENCY SUPPORT NEEDED IN AUSTIN🚨 State troopers have surrounded the encampment at the University of Texas, and arrests are now being made. All hands on deck are needed at the South Mall. Our students need our support!” the post said.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee also issued a statement on Instagram as the latest protest was going on.
“Right now, we see that students of conscience will not be intimidated,” the group said. “Our movement will continue. We will continue to confront the fascist police state, until all our demands are met. Until universities become a genuine place for learning. Until people come before profits. Until the genocide stops. Until Liberation.”
Previous Arrests on Campus
The arrests come days after charges were dropped against 57 protesters who participated in an April 24 class walkout in support of Hamas-controlled Gaza and demanded the university divest from Israel.The Palestine Solidarity Committee organized the April 24 protest that led to the arrests after UT–Austin President Jay Hartzell allowed authorities to be deployed on campus to shut down the protest.
The group had been warned that the protest was in violation of school policy and would not be allowed. The protesters disregarded the administration’s warning, which resulted in dozens of arrests for criminal trespassing.
The UT-Austin chapter of the American Association of University Professors condemned Mr. Hartzell’s actions and organized a similar walkout on April 25, which the student group joined.
“No business as usual tomorrow. No Classes. No grading. No work. No Assignments. Gather at the main mall in front of UT tower at 12:15 p.m. as planned with TSEU,” the group said in a statement on April 24.
Following the April 24 protest event, the university said it had received online threats.
“On Saturday, the University received extensive online threats from a group organizing today’s protest. These threats have been reported to local, state, and federal law enforcement,” the spokesperson said.
According to university officials, at least 13 pro-Palestinian events were held on campus before April 24, “largely without incident.”
“The university will continue to support the free speech and assembly rights of our community while also enforcing its Institutional Rules,” they said.
