Austin, TX – May 3, 2024
Twice in the past week, officers in riot gear have stormed our campus, arresting students and dragging them– at times barely conscious– from the South Lawn. UT faculty, staff, and students have called upon the administration to de-escalate and call off police forces, but our efforts have been ignored. As concerned faculty, we condemn this excessive use of force.
On Wednesday, April 24th, mounted state troopers besieged students and community members who were exercising their rights to free expression and assembly. UT Administration invited this police presence. After an hours-long melee, reportedly 57 people were arrested for misdemeanor trespassing. All charges were dropped for lack of evidence. Five days later, UT Administration again escalated constitutionally-afforded gatherings into violence, resulting in another 79 arrests. The repeated deployment of multiple police forces has threatened public safety, disrupted campus activities, and created a dangerous learning and working environment for our communities.
In response to the Administration’s role in targeting and actively harming our students, 625 faculty members (constituting about 20% of teaching faculty) have signed a letter of no confidence in UT President Hartzell. Similar letters circulated by students have gathered over 3,000 signatures. President Hartzell has failed the communities he was appointed to serve.
Despite many opportunities to de-escalate, UT Administration’s posture has only intensified. On April 30th, University officials indicated that they would continue to deploy DPS riot troops in response to campus protests. President Hartzell and the UT Board of Trustees will bear responsibility for the injuries–or worse–that occur during any police action on our campus. This is not leadership. This is reckless endangerment.
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UT Austin Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine 