Charges dropped against most UT Austin protesters

[sl8]

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2024/04/25/charges-dropped-against-most-ut-austin-protesters/

Charges dropped against most UT Austin protesters

A judge dismissed charges after Travis County prosecutors found ‘deficiencies’ in charging documents.



A demonstrator is restrained by police at a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Texas, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Austin. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP)(Ricardo B. Brazziell / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

By Philip Jankowski
3:01 PM on Apr 25, 2024 CDT

AUSTIN – Charges have been dropped against most protesters arrested Wednesday while rallying against the war in Gaza on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin.

Charges were dropped against 46 individuals after defense attorneys raised concerns about “deficiencies” in charging documents known as arrest affidavits, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza said Thursday in a text message.

“We agreed,” and a judge ordered their release, Garza said.

A spokeswoman for Garza said the office will continue to review any cases brought against protesters and “determine whether prosecution is factually and legally appropriate.”

[...]

[SARose]

1. Faculty petition to hold no-confidence

vote in UT-Austin president after protest response

Fallout from police crackdowns on a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin continued Thursday morning with faculty condemning the response, university leaders defending their actions and students organizing a second round of protests.

At a much less tense rally Thursday on UT-Austin's campus, faculty with the school's chapter of the American Association of University Professors said they planned to hold a vote of no confidence in President Jay Hartzell over his management of the protest the day before and the school's implementation of legislation banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public universities. AAUP members were seen passing around a petition asking faculty to sign in their support.

Students at the rally reiterated their main demand from the day before, calling on UT-Austin to divest from all weapon manufacturers and companies involved with Israel. They also called for Hartzell's resignation and complete amnesty for student protesters and members of the Palestine Solidarity Committee, which organized Wednesday’s event, who were arrested.

All told, 57 people — including one journalist — were arrested on the school’s campus on Wednesday, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday. The arrests quickly sparked backlash from faculty and students, who called the reaction heavy-handed since the protest showed no signs of violence when it started. Emphasis mine.

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I told my husband last night this would blow up. He also agreed that faculty would get involved. We worked 20 plus years in higher education. Faculty hold free speech sacrosanct.

[walkingman]

2. This entire mess is because of Texas Governor Greg Abbott who sicced the DPS

on the protestors. He should be recalled....but in Texas that is not an option.

Abbott is Trump in a wheelchair.

[Big Blue Marble]

3. These arrests of protesters are about

harassment and intimidation of mostly peaceful
citizens. This behavior by the university administrations
risks further alienation of young voters who
are over 80% against our support of this war.

How in the hell do Democrats think that arresting
and harassing students are going grow support
for Biden?

[LauraInLA]

4. Why is this Biden's fault? This is on Greg Abbott and Texas authorities.

[Big Blue Marble]

5. The students protesting around the country do not see this

as a state by state issue. These protesters are in solidarity with each other.
They see this as a national issue. When they are suppressed and harassed
they see it as the establishment at all levels preventing them from expressing
themselves.

They are speaking to Biden; they want a permanent cease fire. They want
the slaughter and starvation to stop now. No matter which college president
or which governor calls out the police or the guard, it is only Biden who can
ultimately meet their demands. And it is he, they will ultimately hold accountable.

Over 80% of voters under 30 are against this war and our support for the war.

[LauraInLA]

6. If that's what people believe, then I guess we're already lost.

[Big Blue Marble]

7. That is my fear.

I hope that I am wrong.