University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell issued a statement Wednesday night explicitly defending his decision to cancel an anti-Israel protest on campus in which more than 30 people were arrested.
“Our rules are important and will be enforced,” he said in a lengthy statement, acknowledging “there are many emotions surrounding these events.”
“Today was a difficult day for many,” Hartzell wrote in a statement to the UT-Austin community. “We are witnessing a lot of activity on campus that we don’t normally experience, and there are understandably a lot of emotions surrounding these events.”
“Today, our university steadfastly enforced our rules while upholding our constitutional right to free speech. Peaceful protest within our rules is acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies or interfering with the ability of others to learn is not allowed. will not be forced,” the rector added.
Protests in Austin, Utah descend into chaos, with anti-Israel students shouting “pigs go home!” at police.
More than 30 people were arrested at an anti-Israel protest at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday. (Brian Preston/FOX News Digital)
The Texas Department of Public Safety announced that as of 9 p.m. Wednesday, law enforcement officers had arrested 34 people on the UT Austin campus in connection with the protests.
The charges for those arrested at universities across the country (including more than 100 at Columbia University in New York City and more than 90 at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles) typically include trespassing and unlawful assembly.
Columbia University moves to hybrid learning on main campus amid anti-Semitic protests
“The protesters sought to fulfill their stated intent of occupying the campus,” President Hartzell continued. “People not affiliated with the university also participated, and many ignored the university authorities’ constant appeals for restraint and immediate dissolution. The university did what we said we would do in response to the prohibited conduct. We. We were ready and had the support we needed to maintain and strengthen campus operations to ensure the safety, well-being, and learning environment for our more than 50,000 students. ”
The charges for those arrested at universities across the country, including more than 100 at Columbia University in New York City, typically include trespassing and unlawful assembly. (KTBC)
The president of the University of Texas at Austin praised those who protested “within the rules.” (Brian Preston/FOX News Digital)
The chancellor also praised law enforcement and officials for allowing peaceful protests to take place “within the rules.”
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“We would like to thank the countless employees, state and university law enforcement officers, and support staff who have shown extraordinary restraint in the face of the difficult circumstances occurring at universities across the country,” he said. “There are ways to exercise freedom of speech and civil discussion, and our Office of the Dean of Students has continued to provide ways to ensure protests occur within the rules. , we will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all students.” University functions will proceed without interruption. ”
UT Austin released a statement to FOX News Digital saying it “does not tolerate” destructive protests.
University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzl said campus rules will remain in place as anti-Israel protests continue. (Nitasia Johnson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott denounced the protests as lawless and anti-Semitic.
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“These protesters should be in jail,” Abbott wrote. “Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Texas, and rightly so. Students who participate in hateful anti-Semitic protests at Texas public universities should be expelled.”
FOX News’ Andrea Vacchiano contributed to this report.
