The Palestine Solidarity Committee, a student group at the University of Texas at Austin, was suspended following campus protests that resulted in nearly 60 arrests for criminal trespass. The group was also a chapter of the national Students for Justice in Palestine. The arrests took place after law enforcement orders to disperse were ignored.
After being formally notified of the suspension, the Palestine Solidarity Committee posted a message on Facebook calling for supporters to contact the administration and demand reinstatement. The group’s message on social media highlighted the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and criticized the university for its actions.
Breitbart Texas covered the rally organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee, where pro-Palestine protesters clashed with pro-Israel counter-protesters. The atmosphere was tense, with accusations of threats and violence exchanged between the two groups. Jewish students and supporters of Israel faced hostility from some of the pro-Palestine demonstrators.
University President Jay Hartzell addressed the situation in a statement, citing concerns about disruptions on campus and the need to balance free speech with safety. The university’s decision to cancel the protest was based on credible information about potential disruptions.
The majority of those arrested during the protests were released from jail, with many cases being dismissed due to issues with probable cause. The Travis County Attorney’s Office reviewed the cases and found deficiencies in the arrest affidavits.
Overall, the suspension of the Palestine Solidarity Committee sparked controversy and tensions on the University of Texas campus, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
