AUSTIN, Texas — It was another day of protests in Austin, but this time with no arrests – a stark contrast from this Monday’s and last Wednesday’s pro-Palestinian rallies at the University of Texas that ended with more than 100 protesters in jail.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee, along with several other organizations, organized a “May Day” rally at UT again on Sunday to call for the university to divest in weapons manufacturing companies that sell to Israel.
Gov. Greg Abbott responded Sunday afternoon on social media, saying that this will “NEVER happen" and going on to say he will continue to put a stop to these protests.
But Jenna Homsi, a senior at UT and a member of the Palestine Solidarity Committee, said the protests are far from over.
“You’re going to see, you know, protest after protest because, you know, we will not be deterred,” Homsi said. “As our demands are met, we will still then continue to push further and further until we see liberation.”
Just down the street at the Texas State Capitol, more people gathered to rally on Sunday. The Israeli American Council and Shalom Austin hosted a walk to show their support for Jewish students and oppose antisemitism.
“I mean, it’s turning from being anti-Israel into antisemitism, and I never expected to experience that here,” Lecia Sud, an Austin Jewish community member, said.
Sud said while she respects the right to share diverse opinions, she thinks the groups at UT should do so without hate.
“We want people to understand that this is a fight for democracy, this is a fight for freedom of speech, but protecting the true right of not supporting hate,” Sud said.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee said its next statewide rally is planned for May 19 at the Texas Capitol. KVUE asked the group if it had any plans to rally during UT’s commencement ceremony next Saturday, May 11.
The group simply responded by saying, “No comment.”
PHOTOS: Pro-Palestine rally on UT campus
Read more about the pro-Palestine protests at UT Austin:
- 'It becomes very divisive' | Senior at UT Austin reflects on protests ahead of graduation
- 'Tremendous strain on our criminal justice resources' | Travis County Attorney addresses arrests at UT protest
- Protesters gather outside Travis County Jail after another rally on UT Austin's campus
- After UT Austin arrests, Texas State students also participate in pro-Palestine sit-in
- UT Austin protestors do not meet standards to be charged after Wednesday's demonstration