Texas Governor Abbott: ‘No Camping Allowed’ on Campuses

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott declared on Monday that there will be no encampments allowed on college campuses in the state, leading to law enforcement clearing an impromptu gathering at the University of Texas and making several arrests.

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

“Instead, arrests are being made,” Abbott said in a post on Twitter.

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers assisted campus police in removing the encampment at the University of Texas in Austin. According to the Austin American-Statesman, protesters were arrested for refusing 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, as reported by The Dallas Morning News.

Dozens of state troopers in riot gear approached the encampment, surrounded it, and began clearing it. A Sheriff’s transport bus arrived to take away arrested protesters. Reports suggest that anywhere from 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, and physically engaged with and verbally assaulted Dean of Students staff, law enforcement agencies dismantled the encampment and arrested multiple protesters,” University of Texas officials stated in a release.

Furthermore, university officials added, “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.”

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