Over 50 people were arrested at a University of Texas at Austin protest this week, leading to accusations against Gov. Greg Abbott ® of overreach. The nonviolent demonstration was dispersed by police in riot gear. A local Fox 7 news journalist was among those arrested, charged with criminal trespassing.
The students were protesting UT’s investments in arms manufacturers and companies profiting from the Gaza war. The university endowment reportedly has $52.5 million invested in arms manufacturers.
The protest, which the university had forbidden, saw students and supporters chanting slogans like “Free, free Palestine. Killing children is a crime.” The protest divided Jewish students on campus, with some labeling it as “hateful” and others defending the students’ right to express themselves.
Abbott called in state troopers to disperse the protest, declaring it antisemitic and calling for the expulsion of participating students. This move was criticized by state Democrats and a Democratic state representative from Austin.
A group of UT professors condemned the university president’s decision to call in the police, noting that the event was peaceful and included teach-ins, study sessions, pizza, and an art workshop. They criticized the police’s violent response, which included punching a female student and violently arresting others.
The arrest of the Fox photographer was decried by local journalists. Libertarian and right-wing groups, who had previously supported Abbott’s campaign against DEI programs, criticized the use of law enforcement, stating it threatened protected speech. FIRE, a critic of DEI, said Abbott’s actions showed disregard for the First Amendment.
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