THE PROBLEM IS THAT SOROS-FUNDED DA JOSE GARZA DROPPED THE CHARGES AGAINST THE ARRESTED UT PROTESTERS, ACCUSING THE COPS OF NOT HAVING PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST ..... NOT ONLY DOES THE SORRY-ASS DA SUPORT THE JEW-HATERS, BUT NOW WATCH THE FALSE ARREST LAWSUITS PILE UP

Dozens more arrested at UT-Austin as police use pepper spray, flash bangs to break up protests

The arrests mark the second time in less than a week that police have broken up a pro-Palestinian demonstration. This time protesters tried to set up an encampment on campus.

 

By Ikram Mohamed, Pooja Salhotra, Stephen Simpson and Julius Shieh

 

The Texas Tribune

April 29, 2024

 

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers surround a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Monday, April 29, 2024

 

Another tense scene broke out at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday as law enforcement officers dragged dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters from an encampment and then used pepper spray and flash bang explosives to dispel a crowd of demonstrators.

At least 40 people were arrested as of 3:30 p.m., and several others were given medical attention because of the sweltering heat.

The arrests began after a group of 60 protesters formed an encampment in an unshaded area on the South Mall, which they have been occupying on and off since a pro-Palestinian rally first broke out last Wednesday.

Students had walked out of class to demand that UT-Austin divest from manufacturers supplying Israel weapons in the ongoing war in Gaza.

Israel launched its war on Gaza after Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7. Health authorities have reported that more than 30,000 Palestinians have died over the past seven months. Protests have formed at universities across the county over the last couple of weeks.

On Monday, law enforcement officers from the University of Texas Police Department and Texas Department of Public Safety formed a ring around the encampment. As arrests began, onlookers gathered around them and began shouting at officers.

The Tribune observed several demonstrators sitting inside the encampment dragged away by law enforcement officers, while observers recorded videos and yelled. The arrests were made by UT police, while DPS troopers stood guard and managed the crowd. Austin police officers were also on the scene, passing out zip ties in apparent preparation to restrain more demonstrators.

Those inside of the encampment sat with their arms linked as officers continued to drag them out. The crowd of onlookers swelled into the hundreds as more law enforcement officers arrived on the scene. Medics brought wet towels to those in the encampment until police advised them to stay away.

Onlookers shouted “We are being peaceful, you are being violent,” as law enforcement cleared the encampment.

Texas department of Public Safety troopers surround a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Monday, April 29, 2024

Texas department of Public Safety troopers surround a pro-Palestinian encampment on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Monday, April 29, 2024

A University of Texas Police Department officer arrests a pro-Palestinian protester from an encampment set up on the campus’ South Lawn. 

 

By 4 p.m. the encampment had been cleared, but the chaos escalated. Additional law enforcement officers arrived, with some using motorcycles, pepper spray and flash bangs to ward off protesters. Students could be seen fleeing the South Mall by 4:20 p.m., but crowds of mostly onlookers remained.

Around 5 p.m., law enforcement boarded a bus and tried to exit campus. Protesters swarmed the bus, writing "pigs," throwing water on the vehicle and shouting "shame."

Some protesters arrested on Monday are students, the Tribune confirmed, but it is not clear exactly how many. Last week, UT President Jay Hartzell said that about half of those arrested amid the demonstration were unaffiliated with the university.

UT Police department could not immediately confirm how many protesters had been arrested. A spokesperson said the University, not the police department, would be handling communications regarding the protests.

Gov. Greg Abbott chimed in on Monday to applaud the resumption of arrests. On X, he reposted a video of officers wearing face shields spreading across campus.

“No encampments will be allowed,” he said. “Instead arrests are being made.”

The UT police department issued a dispersal order Monday afternoon, telling protesters that their conduct on the South Mall violated multiple sections of Texas’ Penal Code and that they would be arrested if they did not disperse.

“Your conduct is in violation of Penal Code Sections 42.01 Disorderly Conduct, 42.02 Riot, 42.03 Obstructing a Highway or other passageway, 30.05 Criminal Trespass,” the order from assistant chief Shane Streepy reads. “I command you in the name of the University of Texas Police Department to disperse.”

Last week, at least 57 people, including one journalist, were arrested for criminal trespassing. All of those charges were dropped. Protests had continued in the following days, without incident.

ADDENDUM: More pictures from thr Austin American-Statesman