Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety wasted no time in addressing the situation as they swiftly responded to the pro-Hamas rioters in Austin who tried to seize control of the University of Texas campus.
As of late Wednesday afternoon, authorities had arrested a total of 20 protesters.
The way Texas responded to the violence was quite different from the response to the violence against Jews on Columbia University’s campus in New York last week.
State Senator Paul Bettencourt, a Republican from Houston, raised concerns on Wednesday morning as he shared a social media post about an event called “Emergency Action Reclaim our Space.” The event was planned to take place on multiple college campuses, including UT-Austin, before the rioters arrived.
According to the post, students were urged to leave their classes and assert their presence while demanding immediate divestment. The call to action specifically referred to the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which targets Israel and companies associated with it. It is worth noting that BDS policies are considered illegal in Texas.
The planned pro-Hamas protest was set to commence at 11:40 a.m. at UT-Austin, following in the footsteps of similar demonstrations held at Columbia University, SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and numerous other institutions nationwide. The organizers announced their intention to establish “The Popular University for Gaza” in a post.
According to Bettencourt, there is a digitally distributed flyer on campus that seems to be funded by an external group. The purpose of this flyer is to target vulnerable or willing students and involve them in protests as pawns, referred to as “comrades” on the sheet. While freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution in the United States, it is important to note that claiming ownership over something that does not belong to you is not acceptable. Bettencourt emphasizes that engaging in violent protests only harms those who should not be affected. He assures that UT-Austin, Austin Police Department, and Texas DPS are committed to preventing such incidents from occurring in Texas.
Texas DPS officers dressed in riot gear swiftly confronted and apprehended the protestors.
Texas DPS officers are currently making arrests to disperse the crowd, according to Abbott. He expressed his strong stance against antisemitism and stated that these protesters should be held accountable for their actions. Abbott emphasized that hate-filled and antisemitic protests will not be tolerated in Texas, and called for the expulsion of any students participating in such demonstrations at public colleges or universities in the state.
DPS troopers, including those coming from Houston, were present in full force in Austin. Over the past few years, there has been a heightened presence of DPS troopers in Austin, as Abbott deployed them to assist the city police in combating the high crime rate. This move was in response to the Austin City Council’s decision to defund the police operations, which has left the department in a state of distress.
The Division of Student Affairs at UT Austin has made it clear that it has a zero tolerance policy for protests of this nature.
The University of Texas at Austin has a zero-tolerance policy towards disturbances that interfere with campus activities or operations, unlike other campuses. The university recognizes the significance of this time in the semester, as students are wrapping up classes and preparing for exams. As a result, the university’s primary focus is to ensure that these crucial functions can proceed without any disruptions.
Protesters defied the university’s ban on demonstrating in the South Lawn, the main area of campus, by setting up tents and persisting with their protest.
Texas DPS officers responded to the protesters by employing riot gear and setting up barricades to prevent access. They issued warnings to the protesters, informing them that they were trespassing and would be subject to arrest if they did not leave. Despite the warnings, many protesters remained, leading to a series of arrests. There were even instances of individuals resisting arrest, as captured in multiple videos shared on social media. The arrests took place on the South Lawn, near the UT Tower, and are still ongoing.
UT Austin is currently experiencing a tense situation as protesters and DPS (Department of Public Safety) are locked in a standoff on the main road of the campus. A Twitter user named Ryan Chandler shared a video capturing the scene, emphasizing the intensity of the situation.
The UT Austin Police stated that they will continue their police activity until the conclusion of today’s event. They assured the public that no additional action is required at this moment and that an ‘ALL CLEAR’ notification will be sent out once the event is over.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick dismissed the idea of creating a “popular university for Gaza” as delusional. He emphasized that there are pressing issues that need attention on college campuses, and urged protestors to remember that Texans refer to each other as Texans, not comrades. He made it clear that Texas does not support Hamas in any way and that the overwhelming majority of Texans stand in support of Israel and the Jewish people.
Patrick expressed his gratitude to Texas law enforcement for effectively thwarting the “attempted takeover of the university by pro-Hamas protesters.” He emphasized that in Texas, there is no tolerance for anti-Semitic sentiments or individuals seeking to gain control of universities in support of Hamas. Prior to any arrests, the protesters were given warnings to disperse.
At UT Austin, the approach differed from that of Columbia University, as the former has implemented a zero-tolerance policy. In contrast, Columbia chose to cancel all in-person classes, thereby allowing Hamas protesters to continue occupying public areas on campus.
According to a recent report, there has been a 360% increase in antisemitic attacks in the name of “free Palestine” nationwide since Oct. 7. This surge has also been observed on U.S. college campuses. The Center Square has reported on this concerning trend. The report further highlights that UT-Austin received a B grade for its efforts in combating antisemitism, while Rice University in Houston received a failing grade of F.
According to a report by The Center Square, the Texas legislature and state leaders, including Abbott, have taken a strong stance against antisemitism. They have implemented various initiatives to safeguard the Jewish community in Texas.
State law prohibits state agencies from investing in companies that “boycott” Israel. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has issued a reminder to businesses regarding Texas’ Israel boycott list, emphasizing that Texas has always been a steadfast friend and ally of Israel. Hegar further expresses support for Israel’s right to protect its land and people, urging companies that engage in business with the state of Texas to take this into consideration.