The state of free speech on Texas campuses amid pro-Palestinian protests

Dozens of UT students protesting the war in Gaza were arrested this week, raising questions about First Amendment rights on college campuses.

The protests gained momentum after over 100 students at Columbia University were arrested and charged with trespassing after many set up tents and spent the night on the campus lawn.

Most of those arrested at the public flagship campus were charged with criminal trespassing. However, Travis County prosecutors found “deficiencies” in charging documents and dropped all charges.Friday afternoon UT officials shared protest rules, which included banning people previously arrested for trespassing from university activities that are not strictly academic, such as for classes or living on campus.

He noted that recent protests over the Gaza conflict were antisemitic. He specifically singled out two pro-Palestinian student organizations, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Palestine Solidarity Committee. The latter organized the UT protest and was suspended by the university the following day.

“If a place has habitually been used as a place of gathering, a place of speaking, a place of protesting, then it’s a public forum and protesters should be able to use that to express any viewpoint that’s protected by the First Amendment,” he noted. The 2019 law regards common outdoor areas on campuses — such as the south mall where the bulk of UT’s activity was on Wednesday — as places of expressive activity and allows anyone to engage in protests, speeches and assemblies as long as they are not disruptive.State Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston, authored the bill. A spokesperson for Huffman did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

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