The University of Texas at Austin has placed the Palestine Solidarity Committee on 'interim suspension,' citing the 'alleged violation of institutional rules,' according to a university spokesman. The group is on interim suspension, not the individuals, and the length of suspension will be determined by the Dean of Students office.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee organized an event on Wednesday that was met with a large police presence. In response to the suspension, the group posted a statement on Instagram calling it 'an attack on free speech to distract from and enable Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people.'
The university's decision to bring in law enforcement to prevent the rally from proceeding on Wednesday led to over 50 arrests and clashes between police and students. The Office of the Dean of Students had warned the PSC that the event was not approved and that disciplinary action, including suspension, would be taken if it proceeded.
Despite using language like 'occupy the lawn' in promotional posts, PSC members clarified that they did not intend to set up encampments or stay overnight. They had a scheduled event that included study breaks and teach-ins.
University President Jay Hartzell stated that the school intervened in the event due to credible indications that the organizers were attempting to disrupt the campus using free speech as a guise. Hartzell also mentioned that 26 of the 55 arrests were individuals unaffiliated with the university.
Hartzell highlighted that the university had previously hosted 13 pro-Palestinian events without incident, including one that occurred on campus the day after the suspended event.
