Waco, TX (FOX 44) — Hundreds of college students across the nation are getting arrested on campus for protests and encampments in support of Palestine.
Outside of the conflict happening at UT Austin, the Texas ACLU reports peaceful protests happening UT Dallas, University of Houston, and Rice University.
The right to protest is protected by the U.S. and Texas constitutions.
While hundreds of college students are able to make their voices heard, legal experts say the gray space comes when doing it on certain properties.
“The university, individual property owners, whoever they may be, [must] have proper signage and make sure it is obvious, this is private property or somehow excluded or protected property,” said Josh Tetens, McLennan County District Attorney.
Tetens says protesters can be arrested by law enforcement if they believe a protestor is inciting violence or endangering others.
“There’s also local ordinances that you can take into consideration. Anything from on college campuses, not following the proper procedures to get approval for protests and where they are protesting. Are they blocking some thoroughfare,” said Tetens.