AUSTIN (KXAN) — A total of 79 people were arrested Monday after a group of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on the South Mall at the University of Texas at Austin’s campus in the afternoon and set up several tents in the area. The group used metal chains and tables in an attempt to barricade themselves on the lawn.
The university issued a dispersal order around 1 p.m. Monday, and law enforcement, including UTPD, Austin Police and the Texas Department of Public Safety, responded shortly after.
Law enforcement began cutting chains and removing tents around 1:30 p.m., clearing the group from the tented area shortly after 4 p.m. Monday.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday morning that 79 people were booked into the Travis County Jail Monday in association with the protest. The sheriff’s office said the university’s police department was the arresting agency for 75 of those people, and the Austin Police Department was the arresting agency for the other four.
Seventy-eight of the people arrested are charged with criminal trespass. One of them has an additional charge of obstructing a highway or passageway, and one of them is charged with interfering with public duties, according to TCSO.
Forty-six of the 79 people arrested Monday were not UT students, according to a UT source.
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Law enforcement arrives at UT Austin campus as pro-Palestine protesters gather Monday, April 29, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala) -
Law enforcement arrives at UT Austin campus as pro-Palestine protesters gather Monday, April 29, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Ed Zavala) -
Law enforcement respond to pro-Palestine protest on UT campus Monday, April 29, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Andy Way) -
Pro-Palestine protesters gather on the University of Texas at Austin campus again Monday, April 29, 2024. Law enforcement is trying to disperse the camp. (KXAN Photo/Grace Reader)
The University of Texas released a statement on Monday’s protest, saying it believed most of the people at the protest were not affiliated with the university.
Earlier today [Monday], a number of protestors [sic], many believed to be non-UT affiliated individuals, erected a tent encampment on the South Lawn, with a barricade enclosure of tables secured by metal chains, and strategically placed tools, tents, and rocks. When approached, protestors [sic] escalated by becoming physically and verbally combative with Dean of Students’ staff. In response, the University of Texas took swift action to preserve a safe, conducive learning environment for our 53,000 students as they prepare for final exams.
UT Austin requested backup assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety to protect the safety of the campus community and enforce our Institutional Rules, such as the rule that prohibits encampments on campus. Because of the encampments and other violations of the University’s Institutional Rules related to protests, protestors [sic] were told repeatedly to disperse. When they refused to disperse, some arrests were made for trespassing. Others were arrested for disorderly conduct.
Protests are allowed at the University of Texas. Since October and prior to April 24, no fewer than 13 pro-Palestinian free speech events were held on the UT campus, and four more demonstrations have been held since Thursday, largely without incident. The University strongly supports the free speech and assembly rights of our community and we want students and others on campus to know that protests on campus are fully permissible, provided that they do not violate Institutional Rules or threaten the safety of our campus community.
University of Texas statement
DPS said in a statement Monday that “DPS personnel provided support with the on-campus protest as requested. There were no arrests made by DPS personnel.”
Last Wednesday, 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following a pro-Palestinian protest on campus. The Travis County Attorney’s office said Friday it reviewed the cases and determined they would not proceed because they did not have “sufficient probable cause.”
Grace Reader, Jala Washington and Ryan Chandler contributed to this story.