Governor Greg Abbott: 'No camping allowed.' Instead, arrests are being made.'
On Monday, the University of Texas at Austin once again became the scene of major anti-Israel unrest, with police storming the campus and arresting protesters who refused to leave their makeshift encampment on the Quad.
At 1:08 p.m., UT-Austin students received a text stating “UTPD Dispersal Order Notice” for those participating in the South Mall event. Police began arresting people inside the encampment as hundreds of students surrounded the melee, chanting “let them go,” according to video and screenshots obtained by . College Edit.
that much Texas Tribune “Arrests began after the pro-Palestinian rally first began last Wednesday, with dozens of protesters camped out in unshaded areas of the South Mall.”
Several local journalists at the scene posted on social media that they saw police arresting dozens of protesters Monday afternoon, but no official count has yet been made.
Sirens often blared across campus, and EMTs were called in to assist with heat-related issues throughout the afternoon, along with chants of “Free Palestine.”
“Camping is not permitted. Instead, arrests are being made,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X alongside a video of police in riot gear marching across the quad.
Camping is not permitted.
Instead, arrests are being made. https://t.co/GlmMXxAuqY
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 29, 2024
“The last few protesters are being arrested in @UTAustin.” Austin American politician A reporter posted to X around 4 p.m.
NEW: The last few protesters are being arrested. @UTAustin. @politician pic.twitter.com/wAxXHzifay
— Lily Kepner (@lilykepner) April 29, 2024
According to a student who requested anonymity, at around 4:22 p.m., a sound like two flashbang explosions echoed throughout the campus, causing some students to run away in panic. She said she did not know who activated the device, whether police or protesters.
She said she attended classes Monday but was having trouble getting to her car in the afternoon due to unruly protests and police activity disrupting the campus.
“Honestly, I’m worried about my safety,” she said. College Edit.
She said faculty on Monday believed many of the most aggressive protesters arrested that afternoon were “paid community actors” and that administrators had previously announced that about 50% of those arrested at last week's campus protests were not registered students. He said he told her on Monday that he did. .
At approximately 4:45 p.m. Texas time Monday, the student said the main quad finally appeared to be “cleared.”
The local DA has dismissed all misdemeanor charges against people arrested at a protest at UT-Austin last week. It has been reported that there are no serious criminal charges resulting from this protest.
“The Travis County District Attorney’s Office stated that there was a lack of probable cause for all 57 arrests on trespassing charges.” Austin American Statesman It has been reported.
During the incident, “law enforcement cleared the marchers from the lawn, formed a perimeter behind a chain link barrier and pushed them onto the sidewalk. Mounted state police and officers marched on foot and then used body armor and horses to push the students further away, sometimes approaching the streets where protesters could graze. Spectators climbed trees, people’s shoulders and balconies to watch the commotion.” Texas Tribune Reported at the time.
that much Texas Daily The student newspaper reported Friday that the execution prompted an open letter to President Jay Hartzell. “165 faculty members accused the university of using ‘extreme police intervention’ during Wednesday’s pro-Palestinian protests and called UT rules ‘interference’ with ‘human rights.’ Freedom of speech and assembly.’”
More: Arrests, Lockdowns: Riotous anti-Israel campus protests continue to wreak havoc across the country.
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