79 arrested on UT campus during Monday protest, sheriff’s office says

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A total of 79 people were arrested Monday after a group of pro-Palestine protesters gathered on the South Mall at the University of Texas at Austin’s campus in the afternoon and set up several tents in the area. The university issued a dispersal order, and law enforcement responded shortly after.

UTPD sent a dispersal order shortly after 1 p.m. after protesters began gathering with pro-Palestine signage and formed a circle around tents they’d set up.

The protest formed separately from one aimed at speaking out about the closing of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices on university campuses statewide.

KXAN’s Jala Washington was on campus Monday and reported that Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers and other law enforcement arrived on campus and barriers were being put up at around 1:30 p.m.

Around 4 p.m., law enforcement removed everyone in the tented area.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday morning that 79 people were booked into the Travis County Jail Monday in association with the protest. The sheriff’s office said the university’s police department was the arresting agency for 75 of those people, and the Austin Police Department was the arresting agency for the other four.

Seventy-eight of the people arrested are charged with criminal trespass. One of them has an additional charge of obstructing a highway or passageway, and one of them is charged with interfering with public duties, according to TCSO.

The University of Texas released a statement on Monday’s protest, saying it believed most of the people at the protest were not affiliated with the university.

Last Wednesday, 57 people were booked into the Travis County Jail following a pro-Palestinian protest on campus. The Travis County Attorney’s office said Friday it reviewed the cases and determined they would not proceed because they did not have “sufficient probable cause.”

Read live reports in the blog below.

10:35 p.m.

Crowds began thinning Monday night after another round of arrests happened between pro-Palestine protesters and law enforcement. Our Grace Reader reports.

8:23 p.m.

After going through video from earlier in the day sent by KXAN Intern Taryn Jones, Grace Reader said it looked like people were throwing what appeared to be water on law enforcement during the protests on the UT campus.

8:21 p.m.

Shortly after barricades were put in place when people started showing back up on the UT campus, university officials began taking them away, Grace Reader reports.

8:20 p.m.

The university provided another statement Monday evening regarding Monday’s events:

8 p.m.

A “small group of people” have returned to the UT campus “surrounded by barricades with lots of water,” our Grace Reader reports.

5:20 p.m.

Our Jala Washington reported she witnessed at least 15 people being arrested during the UT protest. She said some people arrested were carried out “forcefully” by their feet or with their arms behind their heads.

5:10 p.m.

Our Ryan Chandler said “police have largely left.” However, the South Lawn “looks the same as it did before they arrived, minus the tents.”

4:55 p.m.

In a statement to KXAN Monday, DPS said it has “remained on standby” to assist UTPD “with maintaining the peace on the UT Austin campus.”

“Today, DPS personnel provided support with the on-campus protest as requested. There were no arrests made by DPS personnel,” a DPS spokesperson said in the statement.

4:51 p.m.

Our Grace Reader said people who are protesting moved to parts of the UT campus near Guadalupe Street. She said a “loud boom” could be heard, but it was not immediately clear what that was.

https://x.com/GraceReaderTV/status/1785057982553706689

4:47 p.m.

Although the South Lawn was cleared on the UT campus, students began pushing law enforcement back to make their way back onto campus, our Ryan Chandler reports.

4:40 p.m.

Our Grace Reader said arrests were made during the protest at UT and said the events “dissolved into chaos.” She said there was a big camp in the middle of the yard that chained tables and chairs. People in the middle of that circle were slowly arrested by law enforcement. She said it’s possible a spray was also used that irritated people’s eyes, and people were seen using water bottles to pour over themselves after.

4:10 p.m.

Our Grace Reader said the final people who were in the middle of a campsite set up during the UT protests were removed.

3:50 p.m.

Our Ryan Chandler said “likely dozens” have been arrested during the protests on the UT campus.

3:45 p.m.

A UT Israeli organization stood on the outskirts watching the events of the protests unfold on the campus. One of its members spoke to our Jala Washington.

3:25 p.m.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office tells KXAN it was asked by UTPD to “provide transportation in case support is needed to take people to booking.”

3:15 p.m.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott commented about the protest on X.

“No encampments will be allowed. Instead, arrests are being made,” Abbott wrote.

3:04 p.m.

Our Grace Reader said people are “hunkered down” in the middle of a group of law enforcement.

3:02 p.m.

UT released a statement regarding today’s events on the UT campus:

3 p.m.

Law enforcement began detaining more people during a protest on the UT campus. During that time, people could be heard chanting, “hands off our students” and “let them go.” Our Ryan Chandler is on the scene.

2:50 p.m.

The UT Police said on social media a “dispersal order” was issued for anyone participating in the protests.

2:50 p.m.

Reporter Grace Reader is also on the UT campus, where she posted video of other people getting detained by law enforcement.

2:40 p.m.

Reporter Ryan Chandler is now on the the UT campus, where another person was arrested.

2:30 p.m.

DPS troopers began dismantling campsite on the UT campus during the protest. Reporter Jala Washington captured this video.

2:25 p.m.

Students formed a circle around a campsite as DPS troopers arrived on the UT campus, Reporter Jala Washington captured this video.

2:01 p.m.

A third-party medic group has arrived on campus, students say per their request.

1:55 p.m.

First detainment occurs.

1:50 p.m.

Troopers begin dismantling a campsite set up by pro-Palestine protesters.

1:41 p.m.

DPS troopers begin approaching crowd. People have formed a circle around a camp of pro-Palestine protesters.

1:36 p.m.

DPS troopers get in position to disperse protesters, who can be heard chanting, “there’s not riot here. Why are you in riot gear?”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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