What to know: Suspension, curfew and the aftermath of the pro-Palestinian protest at UT

AUSTIN — The University of Texas handed down an interim suspension Thursday of the student organization that led a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus a day earlier.

The Palestine Solidarity Committee was suspended for allegedly violating university rules, said UT spokesperson Brian Davis. He refused to say what rules the group is accused of violating.

“To be clear, the group is on interim suspension, not any individuals,” Davis said in a text message Thursday night.

UT will continue investigating the alleged violations of the institution’s rules while the group is suspended, according to UT’s rules laying out discipline against student organizations.

The Palestine Solidarity Committee did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the suspension Thursday night.

UT is not the first to discipline PSC

UT is not the first university to suspend the PSC – a national student organization with chapters across the country. Columbia University suspended its chapter last year, while Harvard University did so earlier this week.

Suspensions often mean student organizations aren’t allowed to host events or reserve campus spaces.

The protest at UT came days after over 100 Columbia University students were arrested and charged with trespassing by police in New York. Students on campuses across the country demonstrated in solidarity with Columbia students.

Dropped charges

In Texas, Travis County prosecutors dropped charges against dozens of UT students after they found “deficiencies” in charging documents, Travis County attorney Delia Garza said Thursday.

UT said 55 people had been arrested during the protest Wednesday and faced trespassing charges.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the Travis County Jail Wednesday evening and Thursday morning waiting for those who were arrested to be released. Some were seen leaving the jail, but it is unclear how many of those who were arrested remain in jail.

The Austin Lawyers Guild provided pro bono representation for protesters who were arrested.

Those who were arrested included a Fox 7 Austin journalist.

Protesters were joined by non-students

In a statement, UT officials said that 26 out of the 55 people arrested were not affiliated with the university.

They added that this event “expressed an intent to disrupt the campus and directed participants to break Institutional Rules and occupy the University, consistent with national patterns,” referring to protests happening at Columbia and elsewhere.

Protest continued Thursday

Around 200 protesters returned to UT’s main plaza Thursday, where they gathered to hear speeches from faculty and politicians, such as U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin.

Speakers discussed the reason many protested in the first place: the war in Gaza and tens of thousands deaths there.

Law enforcement presence was not as strong on Thursday as the day before.

Campus placed under curfew

The campus is currently under a 10 p.m. curfew. It was uncertain how long the curfew would remain in effect.

Free speech concerns

Politicians and free speech organizations have released statements criticizing state troopers’ response to Wednesday’s protests.

FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, sent a letter to UT President Jay Hartzell urging him to ensure all criminal charges against protesters are dropped and to cease any further disciplinary action.

“These vulgar displays of power violate both the First Amendment and state law,” the group said.

UT president ‘thankful’ for students’ right to demonstrate

UT President Jay Hartzell released a statement Thursday saying UT has seen 13 pro-Palestinian events in the past few months without any incidents.

“I’m thankful we live in a country where free expression is a fiercely protected Constitutional right,” he said. “I am grateful that everyone is safe after yesterday, we continue to hold in-person classes, and that today’s events followed our long-standing campus standards for allowed demonstrations.”

In texts to Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, obtained by The Dallas Morning News, Hartzell said that the Palestinian Solidarity Committee had “indicated their desire to mimic what happened at Columbia and elsewhere, which we are doing our best to avoid for obvious reasons.”

Lawmaker calls for scrutiny of response

Law enforcement’s response to the peaceful protest at the University of Texas at Austin is deeply troubling and warrants thorough scrutiny,” said Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City. “The use of force, including arrests and aggressive tactics, undermines the fundamental rights of individuals to free speech and assembly.”

Philip Jankowski contributed to this report.