3:38 PM ET April 26, 2024
University of Texas at Austin puts Palestine Solidarity Committee on 'temporary suspension'
From CNN's Ashley Killough
The University of Texas at Austin has placed the Palestine Solidarity Committee on “temporary suspension” due to “alleged violations of university regulations,” said University of Texas at Austin spokesperson Brian Davis.
“To be clear, a group is being provisionally suspended, not an individual. The length of the suspension will be determined by the Dean of Students,” Davis said in a statement.
The group, which organized Wednesday's event in the presence of heavy police presence, posted a statement on Instagram on Friday, saying the suspension was “a speech designed to distract from and enable Israel's campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people.” It's an attack on our freedom!”
CNN is seeking clarity on what the interim suspension will mean for the group. The PSC had scheduled a wake for this Monday, but it is unclear whether it will continue. CNN has reached out to members of the group about the suspension.
The university stands by its decision to bring in law enforcement to prevent Wednesday's rally from proceeding, which resulted in more than 50 arrests and multiple clashes between police and students. The Office of the Dean of Students also issued a letter to the PSC on Tuesday, warning that the event was not approved and that if it continued, it could result in disciplinary action, including suspension.
The group used terms like “occupying the lawn” in posts promoting Wednesday's event, but PSC members told CNN they had no intention of setting up camp on the lawn or staying overnight. , said he had a schedule of events that included study breaks. And teach in.
On Thursday, University President Jay Hartzell issued a statement saying the university's efforts to cancel the event were because “event organizers, national or local, could use this device to be viewed elsewhere. “There were credible indications that they were going to follow a pattern of Prohibiting freedom of speech and expression and causing significant disruption on campus for an extended period of time. ”
Hartzell also noted that 26 of the 55 people arrested were not affiliated with the university.
Hartzell said the university has successfully held 13 pro-Palestinian events in recent months, including another on campus Thursday afternoon.
