RICHARDSON, Texas — Tensions were high as law enforcement removed pro-Palenstine protesters and their encampment on the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) campus in Richardson Wednesday afternoon.
The Collin County Sheriff's Office confirmed to WFAA that a total of 20 people are being booked in connection with the protest on the UTD campus Wednesday. The protesters are facing criminal trespass charges and one person is facing an additional resisting arrest charge, according to the sheriff's office.
UT Dallas said there were 17 arrests for criminal trespass as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.
"UT Dallas requested assistance from outside law enforcement in an effort to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff. Individuals may peacefully assemble in the common outdoor areas of campus to exercise their right to free speech, but they may not construct an encampment or block pathways," UT Dallas' statement read. "In the last six months, there have been several peaceful protests on the UT Dallas campus. The UT Dallas Police Department and area law enforcement partners are continuing to monitor the situation."
A source close to the student group organizers told WFAA the majority arrested were students or of student age. They also said two professors were in custody, but it's unclear if they are UT-Dallas professors.
“All the students here are extremely disappointed with our administration for not protecting their students. We were here peacefully. This is a free speech zone and we got brutal attacks from these state troopers," said UTD student Fatima Qasim, a pro-Palestinian protester.
WFAA's Chopper 8 was flying above where mangled tents and barricades were set up in UTD's Chess Plaza, which the protestors are referring to as the "Gaza Liberation Plaza," according to a press release from Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
“We have people here who have lost family members in Gaza," said Qasim.
A Jewish student at UTD told WFAA he showed up to counter-protest with an Israeli flag.
"I saw the protests, I saw they were chanting Israel go to hell, from the river to the sea…Israel is the Jews’ homeland, it’s necessary, its existence is necessary, it’s vital," said Nathaniel Butterfield.
Pick-up trucks were seen hauling away tents, water, and more supplies students had staged at the encampment.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, Richardson PD and the Collin County Sheriff's Department each confirmed to WFAA that it had officers on the scene assisting with the situation, with each department pointing to UT Dallas Police as the lead responding agency.
Allen Police vehicles could also be seen on campus near the encampment. The Dallas Police Department said it was not on the scene.
This same group behind the encampment on Wednesday previously staged a 10-hour sit-in on April 23 in a wing of UTD's administration building.
The group is calling on the UTD administration to divest from companies linked to Israel and the war in Gaza, including defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Protestors told WFAA they do not plan to back down until their demands are met.
“Our university refused to divest from the very corporation that are selling weapons to the zionist entity to slaughter our people," said UTD alumni Nidaa Lafi.
This is the first encampment at a North Texas university but not the first protest. University of North Texas students staged a protest without incident Tuesday. Meanwhile in Austin, police moved in on University of Texas protesters Monday who were attempting to set up an encampment on the South Mall.
After last Tuesday's sit-in, UT Dallas President Richard Benson agreed to meet Friday to discuss student's demands. The meeting ended as representatives from SJP walked out after delivering a letter containing the student's demands, according to the release.
Beyond divesting from corporations linked to Israel and the war, the students demanded UTD reject a recent executive order signed by Gov. Greg Abbott that the group says targets pro-Palestinian protestors and release a public statement calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
This is a developing story. WFAA will update this story as additional information becomes available.