On Wednesday evening, school officials at the University of Texas at Dallas reported that at least 17 arrests had been made on campus. The arrests stemmed from a protest that began earlier in the day when protesters set up an encampment on campus grounds.
According to a spokesperson from UT Dallas, officials issued a written notice to the protesters to remove all tents and structures from the encampment. However, the protesters refused to comply with the directive.
Law enforcement was subsequently called to remove the encampment, resulting in the arrest of at least 17 individuals for criminal trespassing. It remains unclear whether any of the arrested individuals are students at the university.
The university emphasized that while individuals have the right to peacefully assemble in the common outdoor areas of the campus to exercise their freedom of speech, they are not permitted to construct encampments or block pathways.
This incident serves as a reminder of the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain order and safety on university grounds. UT Dallas officials have not provided further details on the identities of the arrested individuals or any potential charges they may face.
