UT police instruct students and protesters to disband encampment

Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Texas faced a tense standoff with police on Monday as they were ordered to disperse or face arrest. The demonstrators had set up tents on the school’s main lawn, prompting campus police to intervene.

As the protesters chanted “free, free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” police officials deemed their behavior as “disorderly conduct.” Assistant Chief Shane Streepy issued a warning, stating, “I command you in the name of the University of Texas Police Department to disperse, and if you do not, you shall be arrested.”

State troopers in riot gear arrived at the scene, lining up across from the encampment with some carrying zip ties. They eventually advanced towards the protesters and surrounded the area, leading to the detention of at least five individuals.

Austin Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt expressed her intention to monitor the protests and emphasized the importance of deescalating the situation. She noted that the decision to remove the tents was consistent with demands made by UT officials the previous week.

The tense confrontation between the protesters and law enforcement highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, sparking discussions about free speech rights and the role of universities in addressing controversial issues on campus.