AUSTIN, Texas — As ceasefire protests erupt on college campuses across the U.S., a separate demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin has been postponed.
The Texas State Employees Union (TSEU) had originally planned a "Rally for our UT! Stop the Purge'" gathering on Thursday, but it has since been shifted to Monday, April 29.
The intent behind the rally is to express disdain against Texas Senate Bill 17, which prohibits Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices and initiatives at public colleges and universities across the state. Earlier this month, almost 60 UT Austin employees were laid off because of their work in DEI roles.
According to a post from the TSEU, "This leaves the staff unemployed as of July and deeply impacts a wide range of programs that serve our campus community."
The protest will instead be held at 12:15 p.m. Monday at the Main Mall on the UT Austin campus.
Wednesday's walkout
This postponement comes after a pro-Palestine protest held Wednesday morning and afternoon across university grounds.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee organized the rally, where large crowds of students walked out of their classes with plans to gather for pizza, an art workshop and a study break.
As more and more students joined the walkout, so did members of law enforcement. Gov. Greg Abbott called for Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers to respond to the "unlawful assembly," according to the UT Division of Student Affairs.
The TSEU posted on social media Thursday morning, "We do not condone the arrests & actions of State Troopers on our campus during a peaceful protest."
At the end of Wednesday evening, 57 people had been arrested and taken to the Travis County Jail for their involvement in the protests. Many of the same protestors were released from jail and greeted by family, friends and more groups of activists on Thursday.
The Palestine Solidarity Coalition is planning another walkout at 12:15 p.m. Thursday at the university's Main Mall near the Tower.
