Nearly 80 anti-Israel protesters at the University of Texas at Austin (UT-Austin) were arrested on Monday as they attempted to establish a camp, according to university officials. Of the 79 individuals detained on campus, 45 were found to have no affiliation with UT-Austin, the university stated in an email. This confirmation raised concerns that much of the recent campus turmoil was orchestrated by individuals from outside the university community, including groups associated with escalating protest activities at universities nationwide.
The university’s statement emphasized that the events appeared calculated and intentional, with a belief that they were orchestrated and led by individuals beyond the university community. This marks the second crackdown on protesters in less than a week following the arrest of 57 protesters on April 24 for refusing to comply with campus authorities’ dispersal orders. All those arrested were released within a day, and criminal trespass charges were dropped.
Governor Greg Abbott of Texas emphasized, “No camp establishment,” as state police intervened on campus. University officials reiterated their support for freedom of speech and protest rights as long as participants do not violate institutional policies or threaten campus community safety.
The university affirmed its commitment to safeguarding everyone’s freedom of speech and assembly on campus while also ensuring the protection of the university and students preparing for final exams starting on May 2.
According to university officials, some protesters carried various weapons, including firearms, sledgehammers, and resorted to violence against staff and law enforcement officers near their encampment. An evening statement from university officials revealed the confiscation of weapons from protesters, such as firearms, buckets filled with large stones, bricks, steel rods, wooden mallets, and chains. Staff faced personal attacks and threats, police officers were headbutted and hit with horse feces, and police car tires were slashed.
The protesters claimed that authorities incited violent behavior against them after they ignored orders to leave the campus. One supporter of the Austin Palestinian Alliance posted on Instagram in the early hours of Tuesday about a serious arrest incident where a fellow protester was taken to the hospital seeking medical attention for head injuries left untreated for five hours.
Allegations were made that those arrested had not consumed water for several hours, and individuals with prediabetes did not receive food. The organization urged supporters to pressure the Travis County Sheriff’s Office for the release of detainees.
In response to accusations of genocide against the Gaza people, protesters outside the prison vowed to continue protesting. After the Monday arrests, the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Palestinian Solidarity Committee called for a rally outside the prison, demanding the release of all students and community members arrested at the University of Texas.
Recent weeks have seen protests at universities across the country against the Gaza-Israel war, resulting in over 1,000 arrests as students and external activists attempt to occupy campuses. In New York City, 228 anti-Israel protesters occupying Hamilton Hall at Columbia University were arrested by law enforcement to “restore safety and order,” according to Mayor Eric Adams, who emphasized the involvement of student and non-university leadership.
The escalating tension led to the cancellation of classes at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on Wednesday following nighttime clashes between opposing protesters. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized that freedom of speech does not include inciting violence, destroying property, or engaging in lawless behavior on campus. Following limited response from campus police, the California Highway Patrol was deployed to the campus.
Newsom stressed that those engaged in unlawful behavior should be held accountable through criminal prosecution, suspension, and dismissal.