Around 200 people gathered at the Texas Capitol on Sunday to protest President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians in Gaza following the ceasefire deal struck between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 19.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee, who organized the protest, convened community members at 3 p.m. from organizations including the Austin Party for Socialism and Liberation, the International Rescue Committee and the Answer Coalition. The University suspended UT’s chapter of PSC last April following pro-Palestinian protests which led to 57 arrests.
A UT student and protest organizer, who requested anonymity for safety purposes, said University suspension prevented the committee from organizing events on campus without the threat of disciplinary action and the group has organized events across the city.
“Let it be known that they can suspend us, but they can never stop us,” the organizer said in a speech to protestors. “Here we are — right here right now — as we gather today to confront the rhetoric coming out of our current administration. Gaza is not for sale no matter what Trump says.”
Speakers condemned the slow progress towards achieving a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza and U.S. military aid to Israel, totaling $17.9 billion in assistance since the start of the war last October, according to a report by Brown University.
A computational engineering and Spanish senior who also requested anonymity for safety purposes said he opposed Trump’s plan, but recognized the administration’s “upfront” position towards Palestine.
“It’s been over a year of war, and Israel and the U.S. have not managed to get Hamas out, which they say is their stated goal,” the student said. “I don’t really think it’s going to be as easy as they think to just go in and move everyone else out.”
In response to administrative restrictions on campus protest activity, the organizer said the ceasefire deal did not mark the end of the committee’s efforts.
An anonymous health promotion and behavioral science freshman with Palestinian heritage said it is important to stay informed on current events and interact with people with different viewpoints on the Israel-Hamas war.
“I’ve seen it firsthand and I see my family suffering — I find that the least I can do is show up, show my support and try to advocate for what’s going on in Palestine,” the student said.
At 4:20 p.m., demonstrators walked down 11th Street before meeting an Austin Police Department barricade directing protesters south down San Jacinto Street. APD also brought protestors west on 8th Street and north on Lavaca where they were met by state troopers guarding the Governor’s Mansion. The protestors returned to the Capitol at 5 p.m.
At least five APD vehicles blocked traffic and drove adjacent to the protesters as they marched. A barricade blocked off Brazos Street and Congress Ave, parts of which were used for the Austin Marathon. APD and DPS did not respond to requests for comment.
An English freshman who requested anonymity said the march made her feel closer to the Palestinian community and her family.
“We’re not here to cause any problems,” the student said. “We’re here to state our case and just be able to protest and exercise our freedom of speech for what’s happening in Gaza.”
