After Texas state troopers arrested more than 50 people at a University of Texas at Austin protest this week, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is facing accusations that the state went too far.
Police in riot gear broke up an unsanctioned but nonviolent demonstration at the state’s flagship university Wednesday.
Among those arrested was a journalist with the local Fox 7 news affiliate, who the news organization said has been charged with criminal trespassing.
Demonstrators have scheduled a second day of protest for Thursday.
The students had called on UT to divest from arms manufacturers and U.S. and Israeli companies profiting off the country’s war on Gaza. The university endowment has an estimated $52.5 million invested with arms manufacturers.
Students and off-campus supporters had begun to gather before noon in a protest the university had forbidden them to hold. They chanted slogans such “Free, free Palestine. Killing children is a crime,” according to Texas Public Radio .
Jews on campus were divided over whether this constituted an offensive act.