Tensions escalated between police and pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday, resulting in protesters being pepper-sprayed, video reports.
Video footage of chaotic scenes between protesters and authorities at the Texas campus, where protesters have been demonstrating since last week, was shown online and on CNN. A CNN reporter at the scene described a “standoff” between authorities and protesters and said police fired pepper spray into the crowd. (Related: State troopers surround pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Texas)
“They’re trying to disperse people,” the reporter said. “So, that’s what happened. The police officers were firing pepper spray, apparently some kind of spray at the protesters gathered here. Just a little while ago, Erin, in this area. , there was a bus carrying some of the people who had been arrested earlier.”
“Medic! Medic! Medic!” a protester shouted as the camera turned to the activist who appeared to have been sprayed.
One demonstrator sat on the ground with his eyes closed, while two others poured water on his face. Additional protesters attempted to shake down the medic to help the man on the floor, but a CNN reporter continued to describe the scene.
Additional footage posted on Twitter shows police up close on bicycles and cars setting up a blockade to prevent protesters from advancing.report show Authorities were attempting to move into an encampment on the south lawn of campus. Several screaming protesters surrounded the authorities.
One clip shows droplets spraying the crowd, followed by a loud bang and a white cloud rolling over the crowd. From another angle, a large group of activists can be seen shouting at police and telling them to “get off campus!”
“Open your eyes! Look up, look up! Open your eyes,” activists around the injured protester were heard saying.
🚨#breaking news: Chaotic scenes unfold as tear gas and flash bangs erupt, and clashes between police and demonstrators ⁰⁰📌#Austin | #Texas
Tensions are currently rapidly escalating in Austin, Texas, with hundreds of students and pro-Palestinian protesters protesting. pic.twitter.com/iH5Rh4rshv
🚨#update: More footage emerges from journalists @Nick Sorter Scuffles break out between police and protesters are shown clashing with police. According to reports, multiple flash bangs were fired along with tear gas. https://t.co/CwU6xYKdTS
— RAWSALETS (@rawsalerts) April 29, 2024
— RAWSALETS (@rawsalerts) April 29, 2024
student demonstrator @UTAustin Police and state troopers were attacked with pepper spray as they tried to remove them from the campus. pic.twitter.com/f01pZbJOgD
— Peter Holley (@peterjholley) April 29, 2024
At least 50 people were reportedly arrested on Monday. according to to the New York Times. It is unclear whether the number of arrests has increased following clashes between authorities and demonstrators.
