After radical anti-Israel protestors were moved out after trying to set up another encampment, the radicals returned Monday night hours after almost protesters were arrested and forced off the university’s South lawn. At least 100 people have been arrested.
Mobs of protesters were seen moving to the university Tower, which houses the university president and other administration faculty. Another group was seen trying to block a bus exiting the campus.
Police officers on the scene resorted to deploying mace and using tear gas against some of the protesters who marched ahead, defying orders to retreat.
The protest was considered over, after State Troopers arrived and made multiple arrests before dispersing the encampment.
Earlier in the afternoon, The University of Texas at Austin released a statement regarding the protest:
"After protesters ignored repeated directives from both the administration and law enforcement officers to comply with Institutional Rules and remove tents assembled on the University’s South Lawn, then physically engaged with and verbally assaulted Dean of Students staff who attempted to confiscate them, UT and partner law enforcement agencies dismantled an encampment and arrested several protesters. Baseball size rocks were found strategically placed within the encampment. The majority of protesters are believed to be unaffiliated with the university.
On Saturday, the University received extensive online threats from a group organizing today’s protest. These threats have been reported to local, state and federal law-enforcement. Since October and prior to April 24, no fewer than 13 pro-Palestinian free speech events were held on the UT campus, and four since then, largely without incident. The university will continue to support the free speech and assembly rights of our community while also enforcing its Institutional Rules."