LIVE UPDATES: Several detained during protest in support of Gaza at UT campus

The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin is organizing a protest in support of Gaza on Wednesday, directing students to walk out of class and "occupy" the South Lawn of UT's campus.

This story is being continually updated in a live blog toward the bottom of the article. Check back for updates.

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Several people have been detained at the University of Texas at Austin's campus as people gathered at a protest Wednesday in support of Gaza.

KXAN reached out to law enforcement and is working to get more information on the detainments. We will update this story when we receive a response.

The Palestinian Solidarity Committee of Austin organized the protest, directing students to walk out of class at 11:40 a.m. and occupy the lawn until past 7 p.m. Wednesday.

"In the footsteps of our comrades at Columbia SJP, Rutgers-New Brunswick, Yale, and countless others across the nation, we will be establishing THE POPULAR UNIVERSITY FOR GAZA and demanding our administration divest from death," a PSC social media post said.

The protest follows days of tense encounters between students and police during protests on Ivy League campuses, shining a national spotlight on the cultural and political rifts on campuses and sparking debate about the appropriate limits to free assembly.

The university sent a letter to the organizers Tuesday night telling them to cancel the event.

The University of Texas at Austin must first and foremost act to protect our educational mission, allowing the activities and operations that support our mission to proceed. At the same time, we are steadfast in our support of free speech. Our policies and rules help define the lines between these objectives and shape our response to planned protests.

The Palestine Solidarity Committee student organization's event "Popular University for Gaza," which is planned for tomorrow, has declared intent to violate our policies and rules, and disrupt our campus operations. Such disruptions are never allowed and are especially damaging while our students prepare for the end of the semester and final exams. For these reasons, this event may not proceed as planned.

Simply put the University of Texas at Austin will not allow this campus to be "taken" and protesters to derail our mission in ways that groups affiliated with your national organizations have accomplished elsewhere.

Please be advised that you are not permitted to hold your event on the University campus. Any attempt to do so will subject your organization and its attending members to discipline including suspension under the Institutional Rules. Individuals not affiliated with the University and attempting to attend this event will be directed to leave campus. Refusal to comply may result in arrest.

Office of the Dean of Students

UT Austin's Jewish student organization, Texas Hillel, accused Wednesday's protest of promoting a "hateful agenda" by coinciding with Passover.

"The University has assured us there will be no tolerance for disruption or behaviors misaligned with University policy," a Hillel statement said.

KXAN is on campus to cover the day's events, and KXAN's Ryan Chandler is providing updates on X.

This story is continually being updated in the live blog below.

4:02 p.m.

DPS troopers with shields arrive at the protest area.

4:01 p.m.

Nexstar reporter Monica Madden, reporting from the protest, says that the chanting has changed from pro-Palestine messages to "off our campus," in response to the large DPS presence.

3:51 p.m.

The UT Division of Student Affairs issued the following statement:

“UT Austin does not tolerate disruptions of campus activities or operations like we have seen at other campuses. This is an important time in our semester with students finishing classes and studying for finals and we will act first and foremost to allow those critical functions to proceed without interruption.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott also commented on the protest, calling for the protestors to be jailed.

3:40 p.m.

A large number of DPS vehicles were seen traveling to Austin from Houston on I-35, per a picture sent to KXAN. Sources tell KXAN that the additional resources were requested for the UT Austin protest.

3:37 p.m.

Austin Council Member Mackenzie Kelly issued the following statement:

3:34 p.m.

Nabil Remadna said mounted units are arriving. He said the protest is peaceful and chanting is picking up.

3:33 p.m.

The Austin Police Department tells KXAN that it is assisting UT Police with the transport of arrested people from the UT Austin campus, after UT Police asked for aid.

3:29 p.m.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz commented on the protest on social media, calling it "antisemitic."

3:29 p.m.

Mounted DPS troopers ride horses into the protest area, per KXAN reporter Grace Reader.

3:20 p.m.

KXAN reporter Nabil Ramadna, who is at the scene at the South Mall on campus, said there is a very large gathering of people chanting.

3:16 p.m.

Austin Council Member Vanessa Fuentes responded to the protest, calling the law enforcement presence on campus "a needless escalation."

2:48 p.m.

Ryan Chandler, who is at the scene, said there were at least 10 people detained.

2:28 p.m.

DPS says protesters' presence on campus is considered criminal trespassing and anyone who doesn't leave will be detained.

2:20 p.m.

Police attempt to push the crowd back and detain at least one person in the process.

2:15 p.m.

The protest has tripled in size within the last two hours. Protesters were moved off of the South Lawn, but people are setting up tents.

2:09 p.m.

Austin Council Member Zo Qadri issues a statement about the protest:

1:56 p.m.

Ryan Chandler, who is at the scene, says it has gotten "exponentially more violent and out of control" since DPS troopers began dispersing the crowd. At least five people have been detained at this point.

1:51 p.m.

UT Police post on social media that there is "police activity" near the South Mall and ask people to avoid the area.

1:24 p.m.

DPS confirms at least four people have been detained.

1:14 p.m.

People at the protest and DPS stand off on the main drag of campus.

1:13 p.m.

Ryan Chandler reports from the scene that campus is "chaos," and DPS troopers have started forcefully dispersing protesters, detaining at least one person.

12:32 p.m.

DPS gives protesters a two-minute warning to disperse.

12:30 p.m.

Police have pushed those gathered to protest to the corner of campus by the Brazos garage, moving them away from their intended meeting location of South Lawn.

12:20 p.m.

DPS appears to be preparing to disperse crowds with many troopers dressed in riot gear.

12:09 p.m.

A heavy presence of DPS bikers, mounted patrol, and UTPD work to keep protesters from their intended destination of the South Lawn.

11:54 a.m.

Protesters start gathering on campus. University Police and Department of Public Safety Troopers begin walling off protesters' intended gathering area on the South Lawn, not letting others in.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.