UT Austin Protests: Arrests Raise Concerns Over Press Freedom, Curfew Imposed

Nearly 60 individuals were arrested on Wednesday, including a journalist from FOX 7 News while covering protests at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin). The arrests have raised concerns about freedom of assembly and press freedoms. On Thursday, there were further demonstrations with clashes between police officers and protesters. Some university staff members also participated in these rallies against how authorities responded to previous protests regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. As a result, some faculty members are now calling for a recall vote of UT President Jay Hartzell due to their dissatisfaction with his handling of events. The FOX 7 photographer was released from jail on Thursday morning alongside many others who were detained overnight for criminal trespassing charges. Thomas Leatherbury, the director of SMU’s First Amendment Clinic, stated that journalists should not be imprisoned while covering public demonstrations as they are simply documenting events rather than participating in them actively. Governor Greg Abbott defended his decision to deploy Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers at UT Austin on Wednesday by tweeting: “Students joining hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled.” However, the Travis County District Attorney has now dropped all charges against those who were detained due to insufficient evidence of violent conduct. Leatherbury suggested that unless there is clear proof of individuals engaging in aggressive behavior during peaceful demonstrations, authorities ought to prioritize protecting protesters’ rights over enforcing criminal laws unnecessarily. Colleges and universities are authorized by law to establish time limits, suitable locations for public protests, specific methods, as well as limitations on them; state officials can also enforce applicable legal provisions if required. Leatherbury emphasized that even in the event of hate speech during demonstrations, this is still protected under First Amendment rights provided within the US Constitution. The UT Austin authorities imposed a 10 p.m. Curfew following Thursday’s protests by pro-Palestine advocacy groups who are urging world leaders such as President Joe Biden to bring about an end to hostilities between Israel and Hamas, causing mass deaths in Gaza Strip region of the conflict.