Dozens were arrested as a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas at Austin escalated into a clash with law enforcement on Wednesday. The protest organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee began with a walkout before noon and then moved to the South Lawn in a bid to "occupy" the space, according to the KXAN.

George Lobb, an attorney with the Austin Lawyers Guild assisting those arrested, stated that at least 54 people were taken into custody. They were met by law enforcement officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin Police Department, and UT Police Department. All officers responded wearing riot gear, a controversial move considering the protest was initially peaceful.

The University of Texas President Jay Hartzell said in an email to the campus community, "Peaceful protests within our rules are acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies and disrupting others’ ability to learn are not allowed." The group, he noted, violated institutional rules and ignored multiple requests to leave the occupied area.

Protests are not a new scene on college campuses, but the scale of this incident was significant, inducing an atmosphere charged with emotions and demands for justice. As reported by the Austin American Statesman, this protest is part of a larger nationwide movement on at least 20 university campuses, where students have been urging their institutions to divest from Israeli businesses.

This clash on the UT campus comes amid heightened sensitivity, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Passover. The timing has drawn criticism from Texas Hillel, expressing concerns over the potential for antisemitism and the implications of protesting during a time meant for observance and reflection within the Jewish community.