
University of Texas at Austin President Jay Hartzell released a statement on Wednesday evening defending his decision to shut down an anti-Israel protest on campus, where over 30 people were arrested. Hartzell emphasized the importance of enforcing university rules while protecting the constitutional right to free speech.
In his statement, Hartzell acknowledged the emotional nature of the events that unfolded on campus and stated, 'Our rules matter and they will be enforced.' He highlighted that peaceful protests within the rules are acceptable, but breaking rules and disrupting others' ability to learn will not be tolerated.