Texas Governor Abbott: Campuses Prohibited from Allowing Encampments

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas declared on Monday that there will be “no encampments allowed” on college campuses in the state, as law enforcement cleared a gathering at the University of Texas and made multiple arrests.

Abbott’s decision is in contrast to many universities facing anti-Israel protests across the country, particularly in New York and Ivy League schools in the northeast.

“Instead, arrests are being made,” Abbott stated in a tweet.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers, along with campus police, cleared the encampment at the flagship campus in Austin. The Austin American-Statesman reported that protesters were arrested for not complying with orders to leave.

“I command you in the name of the University of Texas Police Department to disperse, and if you do not, you shall be arrested,” Assistant Chief Shane Streepy told the protesters, according to The Dallas Morning News.

Dozens of state troopers in riot gear surrounded and began clearing the encampment. A Sheriff’s transport bus arrived to transport arrested protesters. Reports suggest that between five to eight individuals were arrested.

“After protesters ignored repeated directives to comply with Institutional Rules and remove tents from the University’s South Lawn, then physically engaged with and verbally assaulted Dean of Students staff who tried to confiscate them, UT and partner law enforcement agencies dismantled an encampment and arrested several protesters,” University of Texas officials stated .

Additionally, “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,” university officials added.

Charges were dropped against about 50 demonstrators who were arrested last week on the Austin campus after a similar encampment.