AUSTIN, Texas — Nearly 80 people were arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday. The Travis County Sheriff's Office said most were charged with criminal trespass. Of the 79 arrested, 46 were students, according to a UT source.

What You Need To Know

  • Nearly 80 people were arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday

  • The heavy police presence at the protests has many questioning why Gov. Greg Abbott supports bringing in DPS troopers to assist when just five years ago he signed a law to protect freedom of speech at universities and ensure that common outdoor areas are deemed traditional public forums
  • UT Austin officials argued the protests are being led by national groups and confirmed UT students made up less than half of those arrested Monday. Still, some say it went too far

  • A group of Republican Texas House members signed a statement that compares the protests to terrorism

University officials say protesters violated campus rules and were given fair warning to disperse.

Peaceful pro-Palestinian protests are happening on some college campuses across Texas such as at the University of North Texas in Denton.

But the scene’s been different at the University of Texas at Austin, where more than 100 protesters were arrested over the past week. That has many questioning why Gov. Greg Abbott supports bringing in DPS troopers to assist when just five years ago he signed a law to protect freedom of speech at universities and ensure that common outdoor areas are deemed traditional public forums.

“The governor had in mind that conservative voices were being squelched on college campuses around the country and in Texas and he wanted to ensure that those voices would be heard,” said Cal Jillson, a law professor at Southern Methodist University.

Gov. Abbott did not respond to request for comment. The university says it requested backup from state police. Protesters were given warnings to disperse or face arrest because they were violating university rules.

UT Austin officials argued the protests are being led by national groups and confirmed UT students made up less than half of those arrested Monday. Still, some say it went too far.

“When militarized police forces are brought in to make this kind of showing, the intention is without a doubt to intimidate students and to chill freedom of expression,” said Amy Sanders, a UT Austin journalism professor.

The reaction to UT Austin’s protests is also splitting state lawmakers along party lines.

“In America you’re allowed to have free speech but you're not allowed to interfere with the speech or rights of other people going about their day,” said Rep. Carl Tepper, R-Texas.

A group of Republican Texas House members signed a statement that compares the protests to terrorism.

“They’re ignorant of the circumstances of what’s been happening in the Middle East. Or they’re terrorists, or they're terrorist sympathizers,” said Tepper.

Democratic lawmakers say the presence of state troopers was an over-escalation and want Abbott to be held accountable and to follow his own state law.

“We’re seeing a message that free speech is good as long as it’s not free speech that we don’t agree with,” said Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Texas.

Rep. Reynolds is also calling for an investigation into law enforcement actions to ensure they followed protocol. But UT Austin students are not deterred by law enforcement as pro-Palestinian rallies are planned on campus through Wednesday.