Editor’s Note: This article was updated on May 2 to include new information.
Two current students and two graduates sued the University, Gov. Greg Abbott and former UT president Jay Hartzell Wednesday in a federal lawsuit for First and Fourth Amendment violations.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs, all of whom were arrested during the April 2024 pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus, were unlawfully targeted by the University and law enforcement for their pro-Palestine views.
The plaintiffs — theater education sophomore Arwyn Heilrayne, health promotion and behavioral science junior Mia Cisco, alumna Citlalli Soto-Ferate and alumna Iliana Medrano – all received either deferred suspension or disciplinary probation from the University.
“We are suing because it should not be illegal to stand in solidarity with Palestine,” Cisco said in a statement to the Texan. “The goal of this lawsuit is to affirm that violent repression is unacceptable and that it is entirely legal and morally necessary to speak out against genocide.”
During last year’s demonstrations, local and state law enforcement arrested 136 protesters over two days for criminal trespassing. Although County Attorney Delia Garza later dropped all charges, the University sanctioned dozens of students involved. Some students received disciplinary probation or deferred suspension, while others were suspended.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to order the University to reverse all disciplinary action taken against the protesters. They are also requesting punitive damages for physical, emotional and academic harm. According to the complaint, Heilrayne was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and Soto-Ferate sought psychological counseling for her trauma.
It is not clear at the time of publication if or when this lawsuit will go to trial.
University spokesperson Mike Rosen declined to comment on the lawsuit. He pointed to previous statements saying the University is committed to protecting free speech, but must also keep campus safe by enforcing the Institutional Rules.
The University is facing two other federal lawsuits for its crackdown on last year’s pro-Palestine demonstrations. One is from Ammer Qaddumi, a leader of the Palestine Solidarity Committee who was suspended by the University, and the other is from a coalition of pro-Palestine organizations across the state, including PSC. Both lawsuits are expected to go to trial in early 2026.
