WATCH: Texas Police Order Pro-Palestine Protesters To Disperse At UT Austin, Make Multiple Arrests

On Wednesday, law enforcement from the Texas Department of Public Safety took action to ensure that the University of Texas at Austin was not disrupted after anti-Israel protesters attempted to occupy the South Lawn, a move that students from other universities nationwide have attempted. The police ordered the students to disperse, given that the protest was in violation of university guidelines and thus constituted criminal trespass. Multiple arrests have been made.

The demonstration was organized by the Palestine Solidary Committee's UT Austin chapter. The organizers took to Instagram on Monday to promote their occupation, writing, "In the footsteps of our comrades at Columbia SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and countless others across the nation, we will be establishing THE POPULAR UNIVERSITY FOR GAZA and demanding our administration divest from death. We will be occupying the space throughout the entire day, so be sure to bring blankets, food and water, face masks, and lots of energy."

In response to the demonstration, the UT Austin administration demanded, in a letter to the organizers, not to go forward with the demonstration and that they could face arrest or expulsion if they continued with their plans. The letter explains that the plans to disrupt the campus "are never allowed and are especially damaging while our students prepare for the end of the semester and final exams. For these reasons, this event may not proceed as planned."

"Simply put, The University of Texas at Austin will not allow this campus to be 'taken' and protesters to derail our mission in ways that groups affiliated with your national organization have accomplished elsewhere," the letter from the Dean of Students explains. "Please be advised that you are not permitted to hold your event on the University campus. Any attempt to do so will subject your organization and its attending members to discipline, including suspension under the Institutional Rules. Individuals not affiliated with the University and attempting to attend this event will be directed to leave campus. Refusal to comply may result in arrest."

The protesters, all of whom were wearing masks, were initially met with stiff resistance along the main walkway through campus, Speedway. However, the organizers were able to lead the group to the South Lawn and momentarily occupy it before the police began to take action.

Pro Hamas idiots at UT Austin discover what happens why you try to pull a Columbia in Texas
pic.twitter.com/PB1YG3ZaFe

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) April 24, 2024

UT Austin right now. Protesters and DPS in a standoff on the main drag of campus pic.twitter.com/OipxvXDbWC

— Ryan Chandler (@RyanChandlerTV) April 24, 2024

This protest has at least tripled in size in the last two hours. The university banned them from protesting on this South Lawn, but they are setting up tents. Law enforcement having a hard time breaking it up. pic.twitter.com/KVqRDJL2Qh

— Ryan Chandler (@RyanChandlerTV) April 24, 2024

HAPPENING NOW: Mass chaos breaks out at college campuses across the United States as pro-Palestine protests intensify.

Columbia, Harvard, USC, University of Texas at Austin and others are getting swarmed by protesters.

Police at USC are taking out their batons as the… pic.twitter.com/D35wVTCiZ8

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 24, 2024

You can follow Sterling on X/Twitter here.