The Council on American-Islamic Relations chapter in Austin, Texas, has condemned the use of what they describe as 'unnecessary and excessive force' by police officers during the arrest of students protesting the Israel-Hamas war. Fayyaz Shah, the board chair of CAIR Austin, emphasized the importance of law enforcement exercising restraint and respecting the rights of protesters. Shah stated that in a democratic society, the right to peacefully protest and express dissenting opinions is fundamental.
Shah further expressed concern over the deployment of a large number of heavily armed law enforcement officers to arrest student activists advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, viewing it as a troubling suppression of their rights. Shaimaa Zayan, the operations manager of CAIR Austin, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to prioritize de-escalation and dialogue when handling peaceful protests.
Zayan highlighted that sending in a massive armed police force to arrest students advocating for peace could send the wrong message and potentially exacerbate tensions further. The incident in question occurred at the University of Texas at Austin, where Texas state troopers in riot gear intervened to disperse a group of protesters following a demonstration on Wednesday.
The Austin Police Department confirmed that they are assisting the University of Texas Police Department in transporting the arrested protesters. The actions taken by law enforcement have sparked criticism from CAIR Austin, who are calling for a more measured and respectful approach towards handling peaceful protests.
