More than 50 people were arrested at a peaceful pro-Palestinian protest held by the Palestine Solidarity Committee at the University of Texas, according to recent reports. The protest, which aimed to call for an end to the Israel-Hamas war and advocate for universities to divest from Israeli businesses, lasted for more than six hours and saw a heavy police presence.
About 54 protesters were detained at the Travis County Jail following the event, which also demanded that the federal government stop supporting Israel’s military actions. UT professor Pavithra Vasudevan has announced plans to lead a rally in response to Wednesday’s events.
Travis County Attorney Delia Garza urged protesters to disperse for safety reasons and warned those who were released not to return to campus. Police were reportedly issuing dispersal orders and making multiple arrests throughout the duration of the protest.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee claims that at least 50 individuals were arrested during the demonstration, which was not authorized by UT officials. The university has stated that their priority was to protect the educational mission of the institution.
Protests calling for divestment from Israeli businesses and weapons manufacturers have been occurring at various universities nationwide. State Sen. Paul Bettencourt and Austin City Council Member Zohaib “Zo” Qadri have both expressed concerns about the police response to the protest and potential violations of First Amendment rights. As the story continues to unfold, the community awaits further updates on the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the response to pro-Palestinian activism on campus.
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