Day 2 of protests at UT more peaceful; 57 arrested day 1

Editor’s note: the live blog below is no longer being updated.

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Crowds gathered for a second day of protest after dozens of people were arrested at the University of Texas at Austin’s campus Wednesday as people gathered at a protest in support of Gaza.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following the protest.  Some of those people started being released early Thursday morning, as more demonstrators gathered at the Travis County Jail to call for their release. The Travis County Attorney’s office said Friday it reviewed the cases and determined they would not proceed because of they did not have “sufficient probable cause.”

The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized the Wednesday protest, directing students to walk out of class at 11:40 a.m. and occupy the lawn until past 7 p.m.

“In the footsteps of our comrades at Columbia SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and countless others across the nation, we will be establishing THE POPULAR UNIVERSITY FOR GAZA and demanding our administration divest from death,” a PSC social media post said.

The second protest had been planned for weeks by The Texas State Employees Union in response to the firings of staff members whose work related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Instead, it was rescheduled so Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine could show that “we do not condone the arrests and actions of State Troopers on our campus during a peaceful protest.”

The university sent a letter to the organizers Tuesday night telling them to cancel the event.

The University of Texas at Austin must first and foremost act to protect our educational mission, allowing the activities and operations that support our mission to proceed. At the same time, we are steadfast in our support of free speech. Our policies and rules help define the lines between these objectives and shape our response to planned protests.

The Palestine Solidarity Committee student organization’s event “Popular University for Gaza,” which is planned for tomorrow, has declared intent to violate our policies and rules, and disrupt our campus operations. Such disruptions are never allowed and are especially damaging while our students prepare for the end of the semester and final exams. For these reasons, this event may not proceed as planned.

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Simply put the University of Texas at Austin will not allow this campus to be “taken” and protesters to derail our mission in ways that groups affiliated with your national organizations have accomplished elsewhere.

Please be advised that you are not permitted to hold your event on the University campus. Any attempt to do so will subject your organization and its attending members to discipline including suspension under the Institutional Rules. Individuals not affiliated with the University and attempting to attend this event will be directed to leave campus. Refusal to comply may result in arrest.

Office of the Dean of Students

UT Austin’s Jewish student organization, Texas Hillel, accused Wednesday’s protest of promoting a “hateful agenda” by coinciding with Passover.

“The University has assured us there will be no tolerance for disruption or behaviors misaligned with University policy,” a Hillel statement said.

KXAN is on campus to cover the day’s events, and KXAN’s  Ryan Chandler, Monica Madden, Grace Reader, Nabil Remadna, Mercedez Hernandez and Sarah Al-Shaikh are providing live updates on X.

The live blog below is no longer being updated, but you can read details about Wednesday and Thursday’s events below.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

9:15 p.m.

UT President Jay Hartzell released another statement Thursday, which can be read below:

Dear Campus Community,
Yesterday was clearly a rough, divisive day for our campus. As the push to disrupt top universities spreads across the country, many campuses such as ours are facing similarly difficult challenges. We are all wrestling with how to juggle broad, important goals, including student safety, continuity and excellence in teaching and research, and the right to express one’s views and call for change. I imagine that virtually all of us support each of those goals, even though we might disagree to some extent about how to weigh them in a particular situation. The University’s decision to not allow yesterday’s event to go as planned was made because we had credible indications that the event’s organizers, whether national or local, were trying to follow the pattern we see elsewhere, using the apparatus of free speech and expression to severely disrupt a campus for a long period. Consistent with this broader movement that is impacting so many, problematic aspects of the planned protest were modeled after a national organization’s protest playbook. And notably, 26 of the 55 individuals arrested yesterday had no UT affiliation.

Against this backdrop, I am reminded today that we have much to be thankful for. I’m thankful we live in a country where free expression is a fiercely protected Constitutional right. I’m grateful that our campus has seen 13 pro-Palestinian events take place during the past several months largely without incident — plus another one today. I am grateful that everyone is safe after yesterday, we continue to hold in-person classes, and that today’s events followed our long-standing campus standards for allowed demonstrations. And I’m grateful to work in a place where people with different points of view come together to try to solve hard problems. Some days, those problems seem especially daunting, but changing the world for the better isn’t easy.

Thank you for showing your fellow Longhorns grace and empathy, and for remembering that we’re all trying to support and educate an incredibly talented group of students. I encourage us all to continue to communicate and work together, and to help our students finish this school year in positive, safe and celebratory ways.
Take care,

UT President Jay Hartzell

5:50 p.m.

Hundreds of UT students gathered on campus Thursday in support of Palestine.

KXAN’s Grace Reader said it was a much different scene than the one that played out on Wednesday, where people clashed with law enforcement, and DPS troopers arrested dozens.

The warnings from UT remained on Thursday in flyers posted around campus and handed to students.

Part of the statement said, “13 pro-Palestinian free speech events have taken place at the University largely without incident since October. In contrast, this one in particular expressed an intent to disrupt the campus and directed participants to break Institutional Rules and occupy the University, consistent with national patterns.”

4:45 p.m.

KXAN Investigates Reporter Matt Grant spoke with press freedom and First Amendment advocates on Thursday after a Fox 7 photojournalist was arrested on Wednesday during the UT protest.

The arrest is sparking condemnation from press freedom and First Amendment advocates in Texas and across the country, including calls for a meeting with Texas Department of Public Safety and new legislation.

“This is a journalist who has First Amendment protections to be able to observe this very highly publicized news story that’s really unfolding across the country at college campuses,” said the president of the Society of Professional Journalists, Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, who spoke out about the incident publicly on X and spoke with KXAN. “It is the right of every journalist to be able to be that first draft of history and inform the public about what’s happening.”

4 p.m.

Around 4 p.m., KXAN reporter Sarah Al-Shaikh said day two of the protests happening at UT was much more peaceful compared to the way the events unfolded on Wednesday for the pro-Palestine protest on campus.

She added that it looked like the protest was getting ready to wrap up.

3:00 p.m.

In a statement issued Thursday, UT said about half of the people arrested Wednesday were not students.

“Wednesday’s protest organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee sought to follow the playbook of the national campaign to paralyze the operations of universities across the country. Like at each of those universities, and confirming our serious concern, there was significant participation by outside groups present on our campus yesterday. This outside group presence is what we’ve seen from the affiliated national organization’s efforts to disrupt and create disorder. Roughly half (26) of the 55 people who violated Institutional Rules and were ultimately arrested were unaffiliated with The University of Texas. Thirteen pro-Palestinian free speech events have taken place at the University largely without incident since October. In contrast, this one in particular expressed an intent to disrupt the campus and directed participants to break Institutional Rules and occupy the University, consistent with national patterns.”

University of Texas statement on protest, arrests

1:50 p.m.

WATCH: Protest organizers with the Palestinian Solidarity Committee read a list of “campus demands,” including financial divestment from Israeli interests and the resignation of UT President Jay Hartzell.

1:15 p.m.

US Congressman Greg Casar joined the protest and called for a ceasefire.

“My message to the university is clear. Students and faculty are not the enemy. Students and faculty are the university,” Casar said.

12:30 p.m.

As of 12:30 people were gathered under the UT tower. KXAN Reporter Mercedez Hernandez said it’s mostly been people “mingling and chatting.” There were some UTPD officers nearby.

There are also still a few dozen people at the Travis County Jail waiting for arrested protesters to be released.

Protesters earlier this morning told KXAN reporter Dylan McKim what they thought of the law enforcement response, and said they were never told to disperse.

11:45 a.m.

Travis County Attorney Delia Garza released a statement regarding the arrests made related to the protest.

The Travis County Attorney’s Office received several cases yesterday and throughout the evening as a result of yesterday’s demonstration at the University of Texas. Legal concerns were raised by defense counsel. We individually reviewed each case that was presented and agreed there were deficiencies in the probable cause affidavits. The Court affirmed and ordered the release of those individuals. We will continue to individually review all cases presented to our office to determine whether prosecution is factually and legally appropriate.

Travis County Attorney Delia Garza

9:50 a.m.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to KXAN that 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following the Wednesday protests.

9:45 a.m.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) made a statement regarding the arrest of an Austin photojournalist.

SPJ said it wanted to remind law enforcement that journalists should be allowed to cover the story without interference. The organization condemned the arrest and demanded Texas DPS drop all charges against the photographer immediately.       

It is absolutely abhorrent that journalists are being arrested and harmed while doing their jobs. This is a clear violation of the First Amendment. SPJ stands with all journalists in their efforts to seek truth and report it, a commanding principle in the SPJ Code of Ethics.

8:40 a.m.

The UT Faculty Council posted a message Thursday morning expressing disagreement with what they said was “President Hartzell’s decision to invite DPS officers, armed and in riot gear, onto the Forty Acres to disrupt a non-violent protest.”

The letter continued to say the council has been in touch with Hartzell and other members of administration to express their concern over the “University’s decision to escalate matters by inviting DPS onto campus during yesterday’s protests.” The council also said it asked Hartzell to lay out specific reasoning for that decision.

The council also expressed support for peaceful, non-disruptive protests on campus and said UT’s campus should be a safe space for “all manner of speech–so long as they don’t cross the line into hate speech, harassment, or threats.”

The full statement is available online.

6:10 a.m.

Several people are waiting outside of the Travis County Jail Thursday morning as they anticipate some demonstrators who were detained during the protest on Wednesday to be released soon.

5:55 a.m.

Austin City Council Member for District 4, Chito Vela, posted a statement on X in response to UT President Jay Hartzell’s statement that was issued Wednesday night.

“As a Texas Ex, I’m extremely disappointed in the leadership of @JCHartzell,” Vela said. “@UTAustin has had vigorous and robust protests for decades without this type of police response. The disrespect of students’ constitutional rights is absolutely unacceptable.”

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

10 p.m.

A public defender told KXAN the number of arrests could be above 50. However, at this time, DPS is only reporting 34 arrests.

9:50 p.m.

KXAN’s Nabil Ramadna spoke with a local defense attorney about First Amendment rights after the UT protest in support of Gaza escalated to multiple arrests.

9:40 p.m.

Protesters in support of Gaza were still at the UT campus Wednesday night. However, Grace Reader said it had calmed down significantly. Still, dozens of people were seen on the lawn Wednesday night, and most law enforcement was gone.

9:30 p.m.

Texas DPS said as of 9 p.m., 34 arrests were made by law enforcement on the UT Austin campus.

9 p.m.

UT President Jay Hartzell released the following statement on Wednesday:

Dear UT community,
This has been a challenging day for many. We have witnessed much activity we normally do not experience on our campus, and there is understandably a lot of emotion surrounding these events.

Today, our University held firm, enforcing our rules while protecting the Constitutional right to free speech. Peaceful protests within our rules are acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies and disrupting others’ ability to learn are not allowed. The group that led this protest stated it was going to violate Institutional Rules. Our rules matter, and they will be enforced. Our University will not be occupied.

The protesters tried to deliver on their stated intent to occupy campus. People not affiliated with UT joined them, and many ignored University officials’ continual pleas for restraint and to immediately disperse. The University did as we said we would do in the face of prohibited actions. We were prepared, with the necessary support to maintain campus operations and ensure the safety, well-being and learning environment for our more than 50,000 students.

We are grateful for the countless staff members and state and University law enforcement officers, as well as support personnel who exercised extraordinary restraint in the face of a difficult situation that is playing out at universities across the country. There is a way to exercise freedom of speech and civil discourse, and our Office of the Dean of Students has continued to offer ways to ensure protests can happen within the rules. The University of Texas will continue to take necessary steps so that all our University functions proceed without interruption.
Sincerely yours,

Jay Hartzell, president

6:13 p.m.

People returned to the South Lawn, previously cleared by law enforcement.

6:06 p.m.

Jewish counter-protesters told Nexstar reporter Monica Madden earlier in the day that they did not feel “threatened or unsafe” during the protest.

5:55 p.m.

The protest continues, per Nexstar reporter Ryan Chandler, but has been cleared from its originally planned area.

5:47 p.m.

The Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors issued a statement condemning UT Austin President Jay Hartzell and other UT leaders.

“There was no threat of violence, no plan to disrupt classes, no intimidation of the campus community,” the statement reads, in part.

You can read the entire statement on X.

5:30 p.m.

Law enforcement has pushed protesters to outside Sutton Hall.

5:25 p.m.

Law enforcement officers, including mounted DPS troopers, advance on people gathered at the South Lawn.

5:22 p.m.

U.S. Representative Greg Casar shared a 2019 social media post from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in which Abbott signs a “law protecting free speech on college campuses.” Casar added, “‘Free speech for me but not for thee.'”

5:21 p.m.

UT Police Assistant Chief Ashley Griffin issued a dispersal order to those present. That statement was read over campus loudspeakers, Ryan Chandler reported.

“I command you in the name of the People of the State of Texas to disperse, and if you do not, 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,” the order reads.

5:17 p.m.

The protest, with chanting and law enforcement detaining people, continues per KXAN reporter Grace Reader.

4:56 p.m.

In a statement, DPS said it was called to the UT Austin campus “at the request of the University and at the direction of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, in order to prevent any unlawful assembly and to support UT Police in maintaining the peace by arresting anyone engaging in any sort of criminal activity, including criminal trespass.”

DPS said law enforcement has arrested more than 20 people.

4:34 p.m.

Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter commented on the law enforcement response to the protest, calling it “shocking” and “unacceptable.”

“We must stand firmly for the rights of all Austinites to exercise their first amendment rights,” he said, in part.

You can read his full statement online.

4:30 p.m.

KXAN’s Grace Reader describes speaking to a FOX 7 Austin photographer who was arrested (see 4:22 p.m.) as DPS troopers pushed protesters off the grass.

Per Reader, fewer people were at the protest as of 4:30 p.m. than earlier today and that there appeared to be more law enforcement than protesters at this point.

4:28 p.m.

The South Lawn at UT Austin has now been completely blocked off by law enforcement.

4:24 p.m.

Texas State Senator Roland Gutierrez commented on the protest, comparing this DPS response to its inaction during the Robb Elementary shooting.

“DPS has pulled out all the stops to harass innocent college students, but wouldn’t lift a finger to help the victims in the Uvalde massacre. This state is broken,” he wrote on X.

4:22 p.m.

DPS troopers arrest a FOX 7 Austin photographer who identified himself to Nexstar. DPS claims the photographer purposely struck a trooper with his camera, which he denies. FOX 7 Austin confirms that the journalist works for them.

“This has never happened to me,” the photographer told KXAN.

An UT Austin student tells Nexstar that the police presence was a “self-fulfilling prophecy” that escalated the situation. According to an agenda of the event, the protest would have held a “student movement teach-in” at 4 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. study break and a 7 p.m. art workshop.

4:21 p.m.

DPS troopers begin to clear the protest area.

4:14 p.m.

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick commented on the protest at UT Austin. “Thank you @TxDPS and @UTAustinPolice for shutting down the attempted takeover of the university by pro-Hamas protesters,” he wrote, in part, on X.

4:12 p.m.

People chant “let him go” as law enforcement takes a person into custody.

4:02 p.m.

DPS troopers with shields arrive at the protest area.

4:01 p.m.

Nexstar reporter Monica Madden, reporting from the protest, says that the chanting has changed from pro-Palestine messages to “off our campus,” in response to the large DPS presence. Chanting also includes “you don’t scare us.”

3:51 p.m.

The UT Division of Student Affairs issued the following statement:

“UT Austin does not tolerate disruptions of campus activities or operations like we have seen at other campuses. This is an important time in our semester with students finishing classes and studying for finals and we will act first and foremost to allow those critical functions to proceed without interruption.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also commented on the protest, calling for the protesters to be jailed.

“Students joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled,” he wrote, in part, on X.

3:40 p.m.

A large number of DPS vehicles were seen traveling to Austin from Houston on I-35, per a picture sent to KXAN. Sources tell KXAN that the additional resources were requested for the UT Austin protest.

3:37 p.m.

Austin Council Member Mackenzie Kelly issued the following statement:

3:34 p.m.

Nabil Remadna said mounted units are arriving. He said the protest is peaceful and chanting is picking up.

3:33 p.m.

The Austin Police Department tells KXAN that it is assisting UT Police with the transport of arrested people from the UT Austin campus, after UT Police asked for aid.

3:29 p.m.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz commented on the protest on social media, calling it “antisemitic.”

“These nationwide antisemitic protests are disgraceful. They do not represent Texas or the views of Texans. No Jewish student should ever have their safety threatened.” Cruz wrote, in part, on X.

3:29 p.m.

Mounted DPS troopers ride horses into the protest area, per KXAN reporter Grace Reader.

3:20 p.m.

KXAN reporter Nabil Ramadna, who is at the scene at the South Mall on campus, said there is a very large gathering of people chanting.

3:16 p.m.

Austin Council Member Vanessa Fuentes responded to the protest, calling the law enforcement presence on campus “a needless escalation.”

“We deserve an explanation for why such extreme actions are being taken to suppress the voices of seemingly peaceful protestors. Do better, UT,” Fuentes said, in part, on X.

2:48 p.m.

Ryan Chandler, who is at the scene, said there were at least 10 people detained.

2:28 p.m.

DPS says protesters’ presence on campus is considered criminal trespassing and anyone who doesn’t leave will be detained.

2:20 p.m.

Police attempt to push the crowd back and detain at least one person in the process.

2:15 p.m.

The protest has tripled in size within the last two hours. Protesters were moved off of the South Lawn, but people are setting up tents.

2:09 p.m.

Austin Council Member Zo Qadri issues a statement about the protest:

1:56 p.m.

Ryan Chandler, who is at the scene, says it has gotten “exponentially more violent and out of control” since DPS troopers began dispersing the crowd. At least five people have been detained at this point.

1:51 p.m.

UT Police post on social media that there is “police activity” near the South Mall and ask people to avoid the area.

1:24 p.m.

DPS confirms at least four people have been detained.

1:14 p.m.

People at the protest and DPS stand off on the main drag of campus.

1:13 p.m.

Ryan Chandler reports from the scene that campus is “chaos,” and DPS troopers have started forcefully dispersing protesters, detaining at least one person.

12:32 p.m.

DPS gives protesters a two-minute warning to disperse.

12:30 p.m.

Police have pushed those gathered to protest to the corner of campus by the Brazos garage, moving them away from their intended meeting location of South Lawn.

12:20 p.m.

DPS appears to be preparing to disperse crowds with many troopers dressed in riot gear.

12:09 p.m.

A heavy presence of DPS bikers, mounted patrol, and UTPD work to keep protesters from their intended destination of the South Lawn.

11:54 a.m.

Protesters start gathering on campus. University Police and Department of Public Safety Troopers begin walling off protesters’ intended gathering area on the South Lawn, not letting others in.