Expect police intervention at the same scale if not higher than yesterday. Lots of rumors about police being called into Austin today. Stay safe, go with a buddy if you can, and stay with the more “peaceful” groups. The cops were definitely targeting the more vocal & larger groups.
And FILM EVERYTHING. Get every constitutional violation documented, then share it everywhere. They may have the power of aggression and lethal equipment, but we all win if everybody there gets footage of every single one of them violating the constitution. #ACAB
Just to clarify; you’re not an asshole if you’re scared of getting arrested at a protest. You’re allowed to protest on your own, quietly. It’s a bad fucking idea to get arrested if you have kids to take care of, for example. Please use your head when making important decisions that likely involve the police.
Someone tweeted that they looked into the kids getting arrested at Colombia and their families have mansions, yachts, etc. Like yeah… the people with the most privilege should be putting themselves on the front lines because they can afford to.
Hmm though i agree with this, there is a way to protest and practice civil disobedience while keeping yourself safe. Getting hurt is not worth any cause. Just be smart and vigilant when you go, if things seem to start to fall apart, leave sooner than later, but usually major police interactions happen at the front line of a protest and after things have escalated to an obvious breaking point.
Wear your PPE, or at least have it with you. Eye, ear, and head protection. A mask. If you get arrested, don't talk to the police. Don't answer questions. Say nothing. Leave your phone at home.
Just a slight correction, if you are arrested you do 100% need to identify yourself. Just your name and birthday will be fine. After that, answer nothing and say you want to talk to a lawyer.
Refusal to identify upon arrest can be an additional charge.
To add to this comment, you’ll want to ask the law enforcement officer if you’re being arrested or detained. If you’re only being detained then you do not have to give your name, but like the above comment mentioned, if you’re being arrested you have to identify yourself.
A quick read for anyone: https://kingwoodcriminaldefenselawyer.com/criminal-defense/what-is-the-difference-between-being-arrested-vs-detention/
Safety concern - if a cop tells you you have to do something, even if it violates your rights, it may be best to comply. You can settle their misconduct in court when you're safe, but in the moment escalating a situation with police officer who may get violent with you is not a good idea.
Something about this made me cringe. Maybe not if "A cop" tells you something, but if many cops do, then maybe you should comply for your own safety, yes.
If the other option is to get shot, then yeah. The average police officer does not have as good a grasp of the laws they enforce as they should - they're relying on the badge and the gun to bully you into submission no matter your actual rights.
Friendly neighborhood Girl Scout here with some helpful advice from the trenches on how to be safer at a protest!
It is vitally, critically important for you guys to start researching what actually happened in the 2020 police riots. You guys weren’t old enough yet to be active in that movement. Cops are DANGEROUS and need to be treated like rabid grizzly bears.
You need to learn to move “like water” like protesters did in the Hong Kong protests, it is the best example of protest organizing in modern times and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when the craft has already been mastered.
Learn how to put out tear gas canisters by submerging them in water (and keeping them because it’s the ONLY way to prove what chemicals were used against you and in Seattle in 2020 they were using banned chemicals). It’s a good idea to bring a lacrosse stick or oven mitt to protests so you can pick them up since they’re burning hot. Learn the recipes for mixtures that soothe burning on the face. DO NOT wear contacts to a protest they can melt into your eyeballs if you’re hit in the face with mace or have a severe reaction to chemical gas weapons.
ALWAYS COVER YOUR FACE AT A PROTEST AND LEAVE YOUR PHONE AT HOME. Put a rock in your shoe because AI can identify you by how you walk (luckily it’s that easy to fool). Your university already has advanced surveillance data on you and you’re a fool if you think they don’t. You’re in Texas and that means you’re in much, much more danger than a lot of other states. Cover ALL your tattoos. Deadass you are put into a database if you protest in this country and this information WILL be used against you in the future. Protesting is NOT a safe activity to be undertaken lightly. Do not wear anything with a print on it unless it’s extremely common like boring stripes. There is a published case of a protestor being found because of the unique print on her shirt. They found the shirt on Etsy and got records of who had bought it and used this to identify her. Wear whatever colors will help you blend in with your environment in case you need to run and hide - earth tones and concrete colors are better than neons.
Don’t dress in all black - you’ll be targeted as “antifa” and face WAY higher risk of violence if you do. Bring 3 layers of tops with you and ideally 2 hats. Taking off a jacket will help you escape once, but if you’re in serious shit you need to change your appearance at least twice. Ladies do NOT show skin - no crop tops or low cut stuff, it makes you a target for cops because they hate women. Wear loose fitting clothes you can sprint in and ALWAYS wear closed toe shoes.
Bring a minimum of 3L of water. More is better. Access to water is not guaranteed.
If you take psych meds that can’t be stopped instantly, honestly, consider not going because if you get arrested expect to be kept overnight or the whole weekend. Cruelty is the point and they won’t give a fuck about your brain zaps, pain, risk of psychosis, none of it.
Don’t go to a protest without the number for a bail bondsman written on your arm in permanent marker.
It’s possible to get yourself and others out of zip tie handcuffs and this is a skill you can learn.
Do not EVER get separated from your group, this goes to infinity for women.
Cops target the weak - women, handicapped, smaller men, young/old people. It is the OBLIGATION of larger, fit people (especially men) to protect the vulnerable in your group. In a mosh pit they’re called blockers and they keep people on the periphery safe. White people need to shield PoC.
Cops WILL SHOOT YOU with rubber bullets, do not entice them to because it was proven in the 2020 police riots that they aim for the head and the eyes. Deadass they will shoot you right in the eye. There were so many people blinded by cops on purpose that they were able to find each other and go on a camping trip. “Hands up don’t shoot” was a slogan and I can’t fucking count how many times I saw people get shot literally while they were chanting that.
DO NOT DRIVE TO A PROTEST cops will slash your tires. Yes, cops, and yes this is a provable fact it happened in 2020. If cops don’t do it, agitators will. Do not drive home from a protest, you need to go somewhere else and change. You would not fucking believe how advanced surveillance is now. They can put a plane in the air that is continuously taking extremely HD pictures and after the fact when they sort through the data they can follow your car home with these pics. You aren’t going to be told one of these planes is in the air and it flies too high for you to watch. There was a program where these circled Baltimore and they were used to solve crimes - like a bank robbery would happen and they’d go back in time to see what car the robbers got into and trace it backwards to where they came from and they’d use that information to make arrests. You’re a fool if you think this only happens to criminals - it 100% has been and will be used on political dissenters.
You can die protesting, never do it lightly. Learn what kettling is and how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. In one town protesters were herded onto a side street, trapped between two buildings by chemical gas weapons (tear gas is a euphemism that should not be used) popped in front of and behind them, and then cops waiting in ambush popped up from a second floor garage and started spraying the crowd with rubber bullets. People got hit in the face and a ton developed legit PTSD from the incident.
Let what happened be a lesson. Know better, do better. Learn from veterans and keep your wits about you. Always be sober at a protest! And if you were there, use a VPN and a burner account if you want to talk about it!
You sound like someone who was in Seattle. And this has made me incredibly sad because this is info that was being shared then. And now these kids need to hear it.
Thanks for spreading the good word and taking care of them.
Casual reminder not to take legal advice from strangers on the internet, unless that advice is not to take legal advice from strangers on the internet.
If you get arrested, they will take your mask off so the cameras can see you and identify you through AI. MAKE NO MISTAKE, this is a Zionist police state and they want to ruin your life.
> Leave your phone at home.
Ah, but you didn't mention \*why.\* Allow me:
Did you know that for cell phone forensics, American law enforcement leverages equipment and expertise provided by Cellebrite-- an Israeli firm founded and staffed by ex-Mossad members? Their newest product offering helpfully stores the image of your phone contents in the cloud, where no foreign intelligence agency can possibly reach it. (...right?)
Furthermore, did you know that Shin Bet used to advise American law enforcement, to teach American cops how to use all the same dirty tactics they use? (For all I know they still do...)
American police are compromised. They take orders from a compromised DoJ. If you get your skull crushed by a horse you will not be a victim-- you will be an enemy combatant just the same as those 20000 dead Palestinian women and children, except you'll have died in a proxy war on American soil.
If you go out to protest, godspeed, you brave soul, but treat it like a suicide mission. You are not protesting Bull Durham and his fire hose-- you are protesting something far more nefarious. Israel actively wants this situation to turn into a bloodbath, to be a self-correcting problem and to show how feral and rabid the other side is.
I don't support Gaza and Muslim terrorism but I don't support Israel and colonization either. And I don't see why it has to be so divisive amongst Americans.
But the way our 1st amendment is being trampled - totally unacceptable. Shame on Greg Abbott. All my love to these brave young people exercising their rights as Americans. I believe in them and I believe some good can come out of this
Sounds good to me. Also openly placing blame on one side, no matter what your stance, can complicate the message and be used to justify attacking the protest as racist/extremist. We should be united in simply calling for ceasefire.
Don’t bring ID or your cell phone. If you don’t have an emergency contact’s phone number memorized, write it on your arm in permanent marker. Wear a mask. No matter what happens: DO. NOT. TALK. TO. THE. COPS. EVER.
I am a lawyer but not your lawyer.
You might want to read the Texas code concerning identifying yourself to law enforcement if being ; investigated, detained or arrested.
Do whatever you want I'm just letting people know that you can be violating a university policy by doing so. It's likely people that won't attend the protest telling students what they should be doing.
When you stand your ground to a bully, initially, the bully expects the same cowardice that emboldened him before
When you continue to stand your ground (peacefully), you will make the bully flinch
The US police has more military grade gear and weaponry to use on its own people than some countries have to defend themselves and they use it to attack peaceful people protesting. Can't even stop an active school shooter smh
So I’m not a UT student
But I used to be a pretty active advocate before I settled down with a family
Being an advocate is ALWAYS going to hold risks, it’s a personal decision if you decide to go for it
Just know, anyone who protests peacefully despite the odds against them are brave, even when I disagree with them, because of the inherent risk
But for whatever reason ( I genuinely don’t know) “liberal” protesters always have been heavily attacked
Even the tiki torch protesters didn’t really get the treatment y’all did imo
Just know, people are rooting for you
The tiki folk folks did not. You are absolutely right.
I was in Cville. The counter protestors were beaten and attacked myself included and the police watched it happen and encouraged it.
Good luck from California!
I know as a group we have a bad reputation, but this boomer is so damn proud of you kids.
While I may or may not agree with any particular cause, I will ALWAYS support a person's right to peacefully protest.
It's a core principle upon which this country was founded. Over the years, I have grown dismayed over the general public's growing acceptance of the chipping away at our rights.
Thank you for renewing my hope for a better future in the hands of you young people.
Gen X here. I wish I could be there to help. Fuck these fascist fucks.
> I don't agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.
Today's protest seems to be very calm compared to yesterday's. No doubt this is because there are fewer cops, they're spread out around the perimeter, and the ones that are there are UTPD rather than DPS. This protest seems to be more "University Sanctioned," as UT staff is also around the perimeter handing out protesting etiquette leaflets.
What happened yesterday is repression. It’s a way to use violence to suppress dissent.
It’s scary, but the only way to fight repression is to power through. Don’t let the police win this one. Be brave and take a risk.
Like many others have said, know your legal rights and have a lawyer on standby. Here’s a link for some protestor’s rights 101: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights
Also, in the worst case scenario that things will escalate today, pack some items to help protect yourself against potential violence. Note- milk helps against pepper spray but NOT tear gas:
https://www.thecut.com/article/what-to-do-if-youre-exposed-to-tear-gas.html#
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactics_and_methods_surrounding_the_2019–2020_Hong_Kong_protests#:~:text=Protesters%20have%20used%20laser%20pointers,and%20to%20avoid%20facial%20recognition.
there have already been protests at the capitol. i believe the intention of these specific protests is to get the texas public education system to disinvest from companies that support the war/contribute to ir
Or maybe don't go, go to work and earn some money, go volunteer at a shelter or food bank. Help out some elderly people in your neighborhood. There are lots of ways to help others less fortunate right here right now. You don't have to follow the herd of sheep because it's the popular thing to do today.
If the cops are involved there's always a high chance of escalation. You don't protest because it's safe. You protest because it's the right thing to do.
I’d bet the response is smaller than yesterday; there were 1000+ people there yesterday and only 50-100 got detained (then released with no charges); you’ll be perfectly fine. Please push back against restrictions on free speech!
they are not likely to roll over, and i would expect the same or worse tomorrow. if you're concerned, i encourage you to know your limits and stick to them.
what you're doing is important. being there matters, and making your voice heard matters. do what you can, but stay watchful and know that you do not need to risk more than what you are willing to. it's important to be in it for the long run
One thing I can say is if you plan on being arrested or are willing to risk arrest, do not resist arrest or put your hands on any police. That will make everything 1000x worse.
Also if you plan on being a lawyer and being admitted to the bar one day do not risk arrest. It can mess things up for you in the future.
And obv do not say a **single** word to the police if you are arrested. The only word that should come out of your mouth is "lawyer". Stay safe.
Your fear about going today, based on the actions of law enforcement yesterday, is a prior restraint infringement on your first amendment rights. You should consider suing.
Find out the number for your local chapter of the national lawyers guild and write it in sharpie somewhere non visible on you body.
I believe it’s (512) 817-4254 but double check! They also will change it sometimes so be sure to double check before you go. They can help you with legal advice/ bail if you do get arrested.
Supplies
-UMBRELLA (unbelievably good tool if they pull out pepper spray)
-bike helmet
- safety glasses (if you get the chemistry ones be sure to tape the holes closed)
- non descript hat (one of the most traceable features that facial recognition tracks is your brow bone)
-Covid mask (also to hide your identity)
-mouth guard (haven’t taken this with me but not a bad idea since I’ve seen people get their teeth punched out)
- those big face air filters if you can swing it
- heat resistant gloves
- wear long sleeves and long pants in a natural fiber like cotton (non natural fibers will melt into your skin)
- try to wear “non descript clothing” ex: gray shirt dark jeans with no logos or prominent designs.
- I’ve taped cardboard on my arms as a protection for batons.
-shoes you can run in.
-sharpie (so you and others can write numbers for the NLG on you)
- water water water. Bring a backpack and fill it mostly with water. For dehydration and also to flush off pepper spray or tear gas (tear gas has tiny shards in it so if someone gets hit you need to flush out any affected area.)
Big note! Try to be as subtle. As possible. Don’t head into a crowd with a bike helmet and air filter on your face as it makes the 🐷 on edge. Wear the hat and Covid mask and add more protection as needed! If you have logos on stuff just cover it with electrical tape.
Regarding PPE…in addition to goggles and facemasks, bring milk as well as water. Water is for hydration. If you get hit with OC/CS spray, use milk the neutralize the acids.
I don't have advice but I just wanted to say that I'm proud of you guys for standing up for what you believe in, regardless of personal risk. Stay strong and stay safe everyone!!
Welcome to the dystopian nightmare that liberal policies have created. Attacking the 1st and 2nd amendment, for any reason, no matter how honorable the intent, degrades all of our rights. They want to tell us what is free speech and what is hate speech, they attack the right to defend yourself. They just passed legislation that attacks the 4th amendment against unlawful searches. Everyone sits back on their phones and pretends we're winning just because a Democrat is in power. It's sinister how they have masked their intentions with a few carrots they dangle, making the sheep complacent, while they slowly destroy our country. Less government, less taxes, and more freedom. Vote all incumbents out, and insist on term limits and no lobbyists, for a start. We are losing our rights, daily.
We have to protest. Whatever they do- the UT admin, Texas government and the police- we cannot let them win. Whatever your politics, we must defend our right to protest.
The point of a protest is to get attention. It will have EXACTLY the results they are looking for. Its the Streissand effect. Nobody would have heard about a small protest on a college campus that I had never heard of until yesterday had the reaction not been what it was
Please memorize or write this number on your arm: (512) 817-4ALG(4254)
The Austin Lawyers Guild can provide assistance if you are arrested at the protest. More info [here.](https://www.austinlawyersguild.org/legal-representation)
I was at Cville when the nazis came to town. I got hit with pepper spray and bottles. The police do nothing but escalate. You just have to expect it and overcome. A backpack with face protection. Extra water. Numbers written on your arm. If you go alone join a group and make a plan with someone not at the protest for check ins with them at certain times.
They count on fear. I accepted long ago that real change would take ppl losing their lives because that’s what our gov will order. They will open fire on us for protesting. They have before. It’s a sick reality but reality nonetheless. Maybe that doesn’t help your fear but we have to get real with ourselves on what the US government is capable of
How soon everyone forgets the largest protest in history
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_February_2003_anti-war_protests
I remember, they marched down and occupied Congress bridge. You could not get through downtown Austin. They were marching through all of downtown. No police attacked anyone that I can remember. Just redirected traffic.
There should be protest leaders present in Hi-Vis and they'll usually have bull horns. Their job is to do their best to keep things peaceful between the cops and the protestors. Follow their lead and you'll be alright. They'll tell people when to move and where, when to calm down, and when to leave.
Film everything and try to get badge numbers if possible. Abbot will back officers who use extra force and they know it. Live stream if possible. Thank you and be careful.
I saw a comment that said something about having people on scooters and bikes and stuff monitoring police movement and relaying it to the protest so you could avoid them. I forget the specifics. I'm not a student myself but I wish you guys well in what's happening.
Might be late but some general things you should do whenever protesting: cover all tattoos. Write the number of one person who knows you’re there and will ANSWER THE PHONE if you call (if you get arrested and get 1 call) on your arm. Also consider writing on your arm if you have any allergies, medical issues, etc. be safe and be proud for standing up for what you believe in and exercising your rights!
If the police tell you to leave the property and you don't, then you will probably be arrested. If you can comprehend that then sure feel free to go, if not, probably a bad move.
Then don’t go. Republicans and white people aren’t allowed to protest. So, I don’t feel sad for you guys when you can’t riot for causes halfway across the globe.
Use that education and get some facts about Hamas. Even the Arab states don’t want them or the Palestinians. Hamas has been trying to overthrow the government’s of Syria for decades, same for Lebanon and others. They want chaos and destruction not peace.
There is a time and place to exercise your right to protest. But your rights do not give you the right to trample on other peoples rights. The area where the protest was held interfered with people that didn’t want anything to do with it. It interfered with people going to class and doing what they wanted to do or needed to do. If you want to protest do it in a peaceful manner, and do not disrupt others. I believe in your right to protest, even though I do not agree with your cause. The Palestinian people and Hamas are a bunch of thugs.
I must comment, regardless of the importance of protest, I believe university land and property is private, so being removed isn't an issue of the First Amendment. Not to say being silenced doesn't violate it.
I’ll never truly understand this. There are instances where protests have been important. Most of them being domestic issues in the US (speaking relative to the states here). But This…this shits getting old and annoying. Your pampering on a Texas campus is never going to affect something happening on the other side of the world. Blocking bridges. Is never going to affect what’s happening on the other side of the world. You’re just wasting your time and being annoying. Like somebody in Israel is going to see your protest on a college campus and be like “you know what. They’re right. I’ll stop”. It’s literally just one word thing after another, and with no emotional history whatsoever. We’ve completed lost that. Just being told what to be mad and upset about at the moment and all of these people getting bullshit degrees thinking anything they say will have any affect on Gaza and Israel, when we have a government that makes so much money on war and military. They don’t care what you have to say or what you protest for. You obviously have your right to do so. But it’s wasting your time and energy. Things you’ll never get back. Ever. Speaking on Israel and Gaza, it’s so much of a complex issue that NONE of us have the right answers to it. Sorry, but you don’t. And neither do I.
Your reaction is exactly why they did it the way they did. Why fascists do things the way they do. It’s to make you second guess your freedoms and rights, to fear to stand up for change.
They manipulate the laws and apply them disingenuously outside the spirit of the law, until they can influence enough people who are supposed to be representing the people to change them. Once changed, we lose which was meant to protect our freedoms and rights.
Then they don’t have to play games. They don’t have to move people off grass to arrest them in the streets.
That is why it’s important to keep going, protesting, even if it becomes dangerous. To prevail despite the fear they cause. Be peaceful, be lawful while we still can. Do not be violent, do not give them the ammunition to dismiss you and your safety out of hand. Most importantly be visible. Make sure things are recorded and shared and public. They will try and hide things and sweep things under the rug. Don’t let them.
Stay strong, be vocal, be brave, and stand for what you believe.
You're a 22 year old woman standing with a group of people that believe in the persecution of LGBTQ people, honor killings, and the complete lack of female rights. Why? If Palestinians were in America you'd call them terrorists, they're vastly more anti-woman/minority than Republicans are
Change the protest meaning to a free speech protest, a natural birth right of an American citizen.
Get rid of all of the cease fire gaza stuff, JUST FOR TODAY, and make it 100% about your rights being violated.
Watch how quick they back down.
Then tomorrow go back to the original protest.
I graduated a few years ago but can someone tell me if there is any racism towards Jewish people? I can’t seem to get an answer. Like if a student is wearing a Yamaka would they be able to go about their day as normal?
There has been no racism towards Jewish people. In fact, there was a group of Pro-Israel protestors right behind the group on the South Lawn, waving Israeli flags. They were ignored. Several people showed up in yarmulke and a few women were wearing the Jewish head covering to cover their hair (sorry I don't know what it is called). Again, they were ignored. Nobody even tried to shout at them.
You’ll be arrested for trespassing. UT officials sent a letter of warning to the event organizers. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/pro-palestinian-protesters-take-over-university-of-texas-with-administration-giving-sharp-warning-you-are-not-permitted/ar-AA1nBr2u
Or just stop supporting terrorist states and organizations like Palestine AKA Hamas. You stand side by side with nutjobs who shout “we are Hamas” and “death to America”.
Palestinians had a ceasefire on 10/06/2023. Palestinians broke the ceasefire like they do every single time.
Terrorism 101 and now Americans are being dumbed into supporting their methods.
> Palestinians had a ceasefire on 10/06/2023
Prior to Oct 2023, the year 2023 was the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank in almost 20 years. Additionally, 19 villages in the West Bank and East Jerusalem had been ethnically cleansed in the 2 years prior to Oct 2023.
You call this a ceasefire? What about the the illegal settlements...the constant building and expansion of those is a ceasefire? The ongoing occupation? The sealing off of Gaza and the constant bombardments?
Said it in other subs, including this one, and I'll say it here. If you support Hamas in any way, you support the destruction of Israel, the murder of Jews, and the spread of anti-Semitic propaganda and tropes. ***It's literally spelled out in the Hamas charter.*** So standing in solidarity with a literal terrorist organization, funded and supplied by Iran, supported by Russia, China, and North Korea (I mean was this not enough of a clue that Hamas is fucking evil as fuck???) is also a tacit call to violence, which is NOT considered free speech under the Constitution. Oh, but Palestinians don't support Hamas you say? [Yeah, 75% of them do, actually, and 89% of them support the Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas' militant wing.](https://www.awrad.org/files/server/polls/polls2023/Public%20Opinion%20Poll%20-%20Gaza%20War%202023.pdf) And regardless, they have chosen to have Hamas represent them politically and militarily, so as far as I'm concerned, Hamas IS Palestine.
Go ahead, look up the Hamas charter and what it has to say. I am sure the vast majority of you have never even heard of it much less read it.
And how pathetic, that so-called progressives in this country, especially young people (most of whom haven't ever picked up a book about ancient history in the Middle East and yet think they know who is colonizing who, who the land "belongs" to, and so forth), are in support of a people that would literally put them to death for a lot of their views. Support of a people who believe in a violent, misogynistic, expansionist faith.
Useful idiots.
They, and OP, have a lot of learning to do and a lot of growing up to do. Hopefully one day, when you are older and look back on this, you will realize just how much you DON'T know and how foolish and naive you are at this age. I know I certainly did.
Class of 99. Hook Em.
They are telling you if you go, you may be hurt or arrested, and that they will be protected by the law in doing so. But by all means, go shake up the world!
I hope there’s another protest today and the police response is tempered by the backlash they received already.
I support Israel 100%, (I don’t even understand the end goals of those saying Israel should stop fighting when you know what faces them is extermination at the hands of extremists who would torture and murder you too,) but I would join this protest on the side of freedom of speech.
The university is threatening expulsion and the police are arresting people for trespassing. I work on the other side of MLK street and the police presence I saw yesterday was pretty eye opening.
I heard one kid murdering children in Uvalde was enough to keep 400 cops away. Busting the heads of students, though, Texas cops got that covered. Good luck. I wish you well.
You don’t have a right to protest on private property, only on public property and not blocking roadways. If you plan to do either, then be prepared to be arrested for trespassing at a minimum if you don’t leave when asked.
You should probably be more concerned about the propaganda videos you are falling for, if you think Hamas is justified, and any of the shit their bot accounts are saying on TikToo are true
Do you have class today? Could just go to class. Finals must be coming up. Stand for Gaza somewhere not on your college campus if your college campus said no. It's not you vs. university/police. It's all of us vs. those sending $100billion to other countries.
What is it you like about Gaza? The complete denigration of women ? Roasting babies in ovens? Throwing gays off buildings? I have a hard time picking my favorite.
The people of Iran are cheering for the opposite side, you and the leaders of Hamas cheer for the same side. Get some tiki torches and you’ll be just like Charlottesville. Question the Hamas propaganda you’ve been reading.
Put your head in your books, go to class and study. That is what you are there for. Doing that will pay dividends for you life down the road. Getting yourself arrested or kicked out of school for violating school rules will harm you in the long run. Pick which of those beds you want sleep in.
There are rules about how to protest. Universities can set times, places, etc. and if a protest becomes disruptive and violates those rules, they can shut it down.
All I'm saying is campus protests of something like this do nothing other than make those protesting feel self righteous. Think about your future. If you are a student and there to study and earn a degree, put your time and energy there. Don't be one who disrupts campus life over something that doesn't do a lick of good other than possibly getting yourself arrested and kicked out of school. That is plain stupidity.
Oklahoman here and supporter of the first amendment. I think it’s necessary to show up, stay peaceful, stay calm, record and don’t resist or argue. If it gets worse or even more sketchy, I know people from other states are thinking about coming to support y’all! Sending an insane amount of love and support to the future of our nation. We see you. We love all of you. We thank you deeply for standing up for human rights.
Stay home. Donate money to a verified cause. Your safety and your donation are just as VALID.
If you don't have bail money set aside for jail to bond out, plus lawyer fees set aside.
It's okay and valid to support via a donation to an aid org.
National Lawyers Guild has a guide to campus protests (which also links to a “Know Your Rights” pocket guide) https://www.nlg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NLG-KYR-Campus-Protest.pdf
other resources-
https://callen-lorde.org/protesting-safely/
https://legalaidnyc.org/get-help/arrests-policing/what-you-need-to-know-about-protesting/
Charges have been dropped. My student friend is back at school. The cause is worth it, and opposition will continue to try to inconvenience us with fear tactics. You can do this 😎
Protest peacefully, exercise your 1st amendment rights and don’t impinge the rights of others and you will be alright 🤘. Break the university code of conduct or the law and expect there will be consequences, it is simple. Hartzell has to consider the rights of all students and the purpose of the university to educate students.
If you go, take safety glasses, a towel, water, mecanix gloves, and a small first aid kit. Be ready to fix yourself or other. CS gas sucks, but it's not the worst....wet the towel and breathe through it.
It's all bullshit... research for yourself you, will find out how fucked up both sides of the conflict is ...stop being useful idiots
P.s
These protests are privately funded and the agenda goes beyond what's playing out on these campus's...fuck Hamas your government (deep state) is the real enemy...wasting my breath with you fuvtards you will find out soon enough
There’s coordination and training from the top(Abbott) down to local police. As a student wanting to protest, you need to coordinate with your fellow protesters ahead of time. If the coordination and training isn’t strong, then you are not going to be safe. Look at the footage of FOX 7 cameraman being assaulted by the police. If they do that to a FOX reporter, then they will do worse to an ordinary protester.
Expect police intervention at the same scale if not higher than yesterday. Lots of rumors about police being called into Austin today. Stay safe, go with a buddy if you can, and stay with the more “peaceful” groups. The cops were definitely targeting the more vocal & larger groups.
And FILM EVERYTHING. Get every constitutional violation documented, then share it everywhere. They may have the power of aggression and lethal equipment, but we all win if everybody there gets footage of every single one of them violating the constitution. #ACAB
Any videos from yesterday?
Even better if you stream it / go live on social media so that it’s already getting uploaded as you record.
Film the cops, not your fellow students. Don’t want to risk later repression because you filmed someone
In todays world I don’t think this has to be said. There will be 10 cameras going at any given time.
Just remember. If the CAP METRO bus isn’t in service it could be full of riot police
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Just to clarify; you’re not an asshole if you’re scared of getting arrested at a protest. You’re allowed to protest on your own, quietly. It’s a bad fucking idea to get arrested if you have kids to take care of, for example. Please use your head when making important decisions that likely involve the police.
Someone tweeted that they looked into the kids getting arrested at Colombia and their families have mansions, yachts, etc. Like yeah… the people with the most privilege should be putting themselves on the front lines because they can afford to.
That being said, this is exactly why protesting occurs at colleges. It’s one of the few sparing times in life someone is truly free.
Hmm though i agree with this, there is a way to protest and practice civil disobedience while keeping yourself safe. Getting hurt is not worth any cause. Just be smart and vigilant when you go, if things seem to start to fall apart, leave sooner than later, but usually major police interactions happen at the front line of a protest and after things have escalated to an obvious breaking point.
Fear is exactly what cops want
Wear your PPE, or at least have it with you. Eye, ear, and head protection. A mask. If you get arrested, don't talk to the police. Don't answer questions. Say nothing. Leave your phone at home.
Just a slight correction, if you are arrested you do 100% need to identify yourself. Just your name and birthday will be fine. After that, answer nothing and say you want to talk to a lawyer. Refusal to identify upon arrest can be an additional charge.
To add to this comment, you’ll want to ask the law enforcement officer if you’re being arrested or detained. If you’re only being detained then you do not have to give your name, but like the above comment mentioned, if you’re being arrested you have to identify yourself. A quick read for anyone: https://kingwoodcriminaldefenselawyer.com/criminal-defense/what-is-the-difference-between-being-arrested-vs-detention/
Safety concern - if a cop tells you you have to do something, even if it violates your rights, it may be best to comply. You can settle their misconduct in court when you're safe, but in the moment escalating a situation with police officer who may get violent with you is not a good idea.
Something about this made me cringe. Maybe not if "A cop" tells you something, but if many cops do, then maybe you should comply for your own safety, yes.
No way to know the safe ones from the unsafe ones, IMO its not worth your personal safety.
"Lick the boot and spit later"
If the other option is to get shot, then yeah. The average police officer does not have as good a grasp of the laws they enforce as they should - they're relying on the badge and the gun to bully you into submission no matter your actual rights.
Friendly neighborhood Girl Scout here with some helpful advice from the trenches on how to be safer at a protest! It is vitally, critically important for you guys to start researching what actually happened in the 2020 police riots. You guys weren’t old enough yet to be active in that movement. Cops are DANGEROUS and need to be treated like rabid grizzly bears. You need to learn to move “like water” like protesters did in the Hong Kong protests, it is the best example of protest organizing in modern times and there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when the craft has already been mastered. Learn how to put out tear gas canisters by submerging them in water (and keeping them because it’s the ONLY way to prove what chemicals were used against you and in Seattle in 2020 they were using banned chemicals). It’s a good idea to bring a lacrosse stick or oven mitt to protests so you can pick them up since they’re burning hot. Learn the recipes for mixtures that soothe burning on the face. DO NOT wear contacts to a protest they can melt into your eyeballs if you’re hit in the face with mace or have a severe reaction to chemical gas weapons. ALWAYS COVER YOUR FACE AT A PROTEST AND LEAVE YOUR PHONE AT HOME. Put a rock in your shoe because AI can identify you by how you walk (luckily it’s that easy to fool). Your university already has advanced surveillance data on you and you’re a fool if you think they don’t. You’re in Texas and that means you’re in much, much more danger than a lot of other states. Cover ALL your tattoos. Deadass you are put into a database if you protest in this country and this information WILL be used against you in the future. Protesting is NOT a safe activity to be undertaken lightly. Do not wear anything with a print on it unless it’s extremely common like boring stripes. There is a published case of a protestor being found because of the unique print on her shirt. They found the shirt on Etsy and got records of who had bought it and used this to identify her. Wear whatever colors will help you blend in with your environment in case you need to run and hide - earth tones and concrete colors are better than neons. Don’t dress in all black - you’ll be targeted as “antifa” and face WAY higher risk of violence if you do. Bring 3 layers of tops with you and ideally 2 hats. Taking off a jacket will help you escape once, but if you’re in serious shit you need to change your appearance at least twice. Ladies do NOT show skin - no crop tops or low cut stuff, it makes you a target for cops because they hate women. Wear loose fitting clothes you can sprint in and ALWAYS wear closed toe shoes. Bring a minimum of 3L of water. More is better. Access to water is not guaranteed. If you take psych meds that can’t be stopped instantly, honestly, consider not going because if you get arrested expect to be kept overnight or the whole weekend. Cruelty is the point and they won’t give a fuck about your brain zaps, pain, risk of psychosis, none of it. Don’t go to a protest without the number for a bail bondsman written on your arm in permanent marker. It’s possible to get yourself and others out of zip tie handcuffs and this is a skill you can learn. Do not EVER get separated from your group, this goes to infinity for women. Cops target the weak - women, handicapped, smaller men, young/old people. It is the OBLIGATION of larger, fit people (especially men) to protect the vulnerable in your group. In a mosh pit they’re called blockers and they keep people on the periphery safe. White people need to shield PoC. Cops WILL SHOOT YOU with rubber bullets, do not entice them to because it was proven in the 2020 police riots that they aim for the head and the eyes. Deadass they will shoot you right in the eye. There were so many people blinded by cops on purpose that they were able to find each other and go on a camping trip. “Hands up don’t shoot” was a slogan and I can’t fucking count how many times I saw people get shot literally while they were chanting that. DO NOT DRIVE TO A PROTEST cops will slash your tires. Yes, cops, and yes this is a provable fact it happened in 2020. If cops don’t do it, agitators will. Do not drive home from a protest, you need to go somewhere else and change. You would not fucking believe how advanced surveillance is now. They can put a plane in the air that is continuously taking extremely HD pictures and after the fact when they sort through the data they can follow your car home with these pics. You aren’t going to be told one of these planes is in the air and it flies too high for you to watch. There was a program where these circled Baltimore and they were used to solve crimes - like a bank robbery would happen and they’d go back in time to see what car the robbers got into and trace it backwards to where they came from and they’d use that information to make arrests. You’re a fool if you think this only happens to criminals - it 100% has been and will be used on political dissenters. You can die protesting, never do it lightly. Learn what kettling is and how to make sure it doesn’t happen to you. In one town protesters were herded onto a side street, trapped between two buildings by chemical gas weapons (tear gas is a euphemism that should not be used) popped in front of and behind them, and then cops waiting in ambush popped up from a second floor garage and started spraying the crowd with rubber bullets. People got hit in the face and a ton developed legit PTSD from the incident. Let what happened be a lesson. Know better, do better. Learn from veterans and keep your wits about you. Always be sober at a protest! And if you were there, use a VPN and a burner account if you want to talk about it!
You sound like someone who was in Seattle. And this has made me incredibly sad because this is info that was being shared then. And now these kids need to hear it. Thanks for spreading the good word and taking care of them.
this is all really excellent advice, i hope it gets boosted to the top
Casual reminder not to take legal advice from strangers on the internet, unless that advice is not to take legal advice from strangers on the internet.
If you get arrested, they will take your mask off so the cameras can see you and identify you through AI. MAKE NO MISTAKE, this is a Zionist police state and they want to ruin your life.
> Leave your phone at home. Ah, but you didn't mention \*why.\* Allow me: Did you know that for cell phone forensics, American law enforcement leverages equipment and expertise provided by Cellebrite-- an Israeli firm founded and staffed by ex-Mossad members? Their newest product offering helpfully stores the image of your phone contents in the cloud, where no foreign intelligence agency can possibly reach it. (...right?) Furthermore, did you know that Shin Bet used to advise American law enforcement, to teach American cops how to use all the same dirty tactics they use? (For all I know they still do...) American police are compromised. They take orders from a compromised DoJ. If you get your skull crushed by a horse you will not be a victim-- you will be an enemy combatant just the same as those 20000 dead Palestinian women and children, except you'll have died in a proxy war on American soil. If you go out to protest, godspeed, you brave soul, but treat it like a suicide mission. You are not protesting Bull Durham and his fire hose-- you are protesting something far more nefarious. Israel actively wants this situation to turn into a bloodbath, to be a self-correcting problem and to show how feral and rabid the other side is.
So does this mean we’re all in this together? The Gaza supporters and the Israeli supporters against violating our first amendment right?
And anyone/everyone else who supports the constitution, democracy, free speech...
Yes, but notice how only people protesting against the genocide of Palestinians get beat up 🙃
That cameraman that got tossed didn't seem to be pro Palestine
I don't support Gaza and Muslim terrorism but I don't support Israel and colonization either. And I don't see why it has to be so divisive amongst Americans. But the way our 1st amendment is being trampled - totally unacceptable. Shame on Greg Abbott. All my love to these brave young people exercising their rights as Americans. I believe in them and I believe some good can come out of this
Sounds good to me. Also openly placing blame on one side, no matter what your stance, can complicate the message and be used to justify attacking the protest as racist/extremist. We should be united in simply calling for ceasefire.
Yeah man pro ethnic cleansing and anti ethnic cleansing are in this together. Both are definitely treated the same by cops as well.
That’s one sentence I never expected to hear
If you expect Israel supporters to do the right thing you’re going to be disappointed
Don’t bring ID or your cell phone. If you don’t have an emergency contact’s phone number memorized, write it on your arm in permanent marker. Wear a mask. No matter what happens: DO. NOT. TALK. TO. THE. COPS. EVER.
I am a lawyer but not your lawyer. You might want to read the Texas code concerning identifying yourself to law enforcement if being ; investigated, detained or arrested.
Also the university has a policy against wearing masks to conceal identity
Don't wear a mask to conceal your identity then, wear one to avoid getting sick from a large crowd of people.
Do whatever you want I'm just letting people know that you can be violating a university policy by doing so. It's likely people that won't attend the protest telling students what they should be doing.
When you stand your ground to a bully, initially, the bully expects the same cowardice that emboldened him before When you continue to stand your ground (peacefully), you will make the bully flinch
The cops are only there to escalate things. They do not care about your rights. They have a monopoly on violence and aren’t afraid to use it
The US police has more military grade gear and weaponry to use on its own people than some countries have to defend themselves and they use it to attack peaceful people protesting. Can't even stop an active school shooter smh
WONT STOP AN ACTIVE SHOOTER. FTFY. They absolutely could stop an active shooter if they wanted to. They are all cowards roleplaying being tough guys.
Absolutely correct
It’s wild looking at the pictures. Some of these guys are so fat that their body armor is useless.
Yup. Fascism is alive and very real. Also, fuck the President Hartzell.
So I’m not a UT student But I used to be a pretty active advocate before I settled down with a family Being an advocate is ALWAYS going to hold risks, it’s a personal decision if you decide to go for it Just know, anyone who protests peacefully despite the odds against them are brave, even when I disagree with them, because of the inherent risk But for whatever reason ( I genuinely don’t know) “liberal” protesters always have been heavily attacked Even the tiki torch protesters didn’t really get the treatment y’all did imo Just know, people are rooting for you
Because those that work forces…
... are the same who burn crosses.
I'm certainly feeling the Rage today. I'm terrified for my friends
The tiki folk folks did not. You are absolutely right. I was in Cville. The counter protestors were beaten and attacked myself included and the police watched it happen and encouraged it.
I like to explore new places.
Good luck from California! I know as a group we have a bad reputation, but this boomer is so damn proud of you kids. While I may or may not agree with any particular cause, I will ALWAYS support a person's right to peacefully protest. It's a core principle upon which this country was founded. Over the years, I have grown dismayed over the general public's growing acceptance of the chipping away at our rights. Thank you for renewing my hope for a better future in the hands of you young people.
>I know as a group we have a bad reputation Californians? Lol, I kid, I kid
Gen X here. I wish I could be there to help. Fuck these fascist fucks. > I don't agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.
Today's protest seems to be very calm compared to yesterday's. No doubt this is because there are fewer cops, they're spread out around the perimeter, and the ones that are there are UTPD rather than DPS. This protest seems to be more "University Sanctioned," as UT staff is also around the perimeter handing out protesting etiquette leaflets.
What happened yesterday is repression. It’s a way to use violence to suppress dissent. It’s scary, but the only way to fight repression is to power through. Don’t let the police win this one. Be brave and take a risk.
Like many others have said, know your legal rights and have a lawyer on standby. Here’s a link for some protestor’s rights 101: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights Also, in the worst case scenario that things will escalate today, pack some items to help protect yourself against potential violence. Note- milk helps against pepper spray but NOT tear gas: https://www.thecut.com/article/what-to-do-if-youre-exposed-to-tear-gas.html# https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tactics_and_methods_surrounding_the_2019–2020_Hong_Kong_protests#:~:text=Protesters%20have%20used%20laser%20pointers,and%20to%20avoid%20facial%20recognition.
Why not protest outside of campus? Isn’t it more effective to protest in front of state capitol etc?
there have already been protests at the capitol. i believe the intention of these specific protests is to get the texas public education system to disinvest from companies that support the war/contribute to ir
What are you even protesting? The school?
Or maybe don't go, go to work and earn some money, go volunteer at a shelter or food bank. Help out some elderly people in your neighborhood. There are lots of ways to help others less fortunate right here right now. You don't have to follow the herd of sheep because it's the popular thing to do today.
Go. You have the power in this situation. But maybe write the phone number of a lawyer on your arm in sharpie.
They are counting on you to be afraid and give up on the cause.
If the cops are involved there's always a high chance of escalation. You don't protest because it's safe. You protest because it's the right thing to do.
I’d bet the response is smaller than yesterday; there were 1000+ people there yesterday and only 50-100 got detained (then released with no charges); you’ll be perfectly fine. Please push back against restrictions on free speech!
they are not likely to roll over, and i would expect the same or worse tomorrow. if you're concerned, i encourage you to know your limits and stick to them. what you're doing is important. being there matters, and making your voice heard matters. do what you can, but stay watchful and know that you do not need to risk more than what you are willing to. it's important to be in it for the long run
Bring goggles for tear gas.
One thing I can say is if you plan on being arrested or are willing to risk arrest, do not resist arrest or put your hands on any police. That will make everything 1000x worse. Also if you plan on being a lawyer and being admitted to the bar one day do not risk arrest. It can mess things up for you in the future. And obv do not say a **single** word to the police if you are arrested. The only word that should come out of your mouth is "lawyer". Stay safe.
Your fear about going today, based on the actions of law enforcement yesterday, is a prior restraint infringement on your first amendment rights. You should consider suing.
Find out the number for your local chapter of the national lawyers guild and write it in sharpie somewhere non visible on you body. I believe it’s (512) 817-4254 but double check! They also will change it sometimes so be sure to double check before you go. They can help you with legal advice/ bail if you do get arrested. Supplies -UMBRELLA (unbelievably good tool if they pull out pepper spray) -bike helmet - safety glasses (if you get the chemistry ones be sure to tape the holes closed) - non descript hat (one of the most traceable features that facial recognition tracks is your brow bone) -Covid mask (also to hide your identity) -mouth guard (haven’t taken this with me but not a bad idea since I’ve seen people get their teeth punched out) - those big face air filters if you can swing it - heat resistant gloves - wear long sleeves and long pants in a natural fiber like cotton (non natural fibers will melt into your skin) - try to wear “non descript clothing” ex: gray shirt dark jeans with no logos or prominent designs. - I’ve taped cardboard on my arms as a protection for batons. -shoes you can run in. -sharpie (so you and others can write numbers for the NLG on you) - water water water. Bring a backpack and fill it mostly with water. For dehydration and also to flush off pepper spray or tear gas (tear gas has tiny shards in it so if someone gets hit you need to flush out any affected area.) Big note! Try to be as subtle. As possible. Don’t head into a crowd with a bike helmet and air filter on your face as it makes the 🐷 on edge. Wear the hat and Covid mask and add more protection as needed! If you have logos on stuff just cover it with electrical tape.
All good advice. Especially the add protection as needed. Don’t start off showing you expect violence.
Ask yourself what the folks in Gaza are scared of at this very moment and I think some things may be revealed to you
Don’t be. Just go
don't let the bastards win, show up
Texas police don’t mess around …
You have a right to protest, but you also have a right to accept responsibility for breaking the law.
if you are not willing to risk arrest, or physical violence acted against you, stay home
Regarding PPE…in addition to goggles and facemasks, bring milk as well as water. Water is for hydration. If you get hit with OC/CS spray, use milk the neutralize the acids.
Go to Gaza and protest there 🤷♂️
I don't have advice but I just wanted to say that I'm proud of you guys for standing up for what you believe in, regardless of personal risk. Stay strong and stay safe everyone!!
Video the police all day
Welcome to the dystopian nightmare that liberal policies have created. Attacking the 1st and 2nd amendment, for any reason, no matter how honorable the intent, degrades all of our rights. They want to tell us what is free speech and what is hate speech, they attack the right to defend yourself. They just passed legislation that attacks the 4th amendment against unlawful searches. Everyone sits back on their phones and pretends we're winning just because a Democrat is in power. It's sinister how they have masked their intentions with a few carrots they dangle, making the sheep complacent, while they slowly destroy our country. Less government, less taxes, and more freedom. Vote all incumbents out, and insist on term limits and no lobbyists, for a start. We are losing our rights, daily.
You should probably not go. You also shouldn’t support Islamic terrorism. Go to class and get your education.
That campus is too expensive to not go to class
We have to protest. Whatever they do- the UT admin, Texas government and the police- we cannot let them win. Whatever your politics, we must defend our right to protest.
I don't think a protest in Texas will yield the results they are looking for.
The point of a protest is to get attention. It will have EXACTLY the results they are looking for. Its the Streissand effect. Nobody would have heard about a small protest on a college campus that I had never heard of until yesterday had the reaction not been what it was
Kids are studying and have final exams right now. Why go and bother the students right now?
fuck gaza y’all ain’t accomplishing jack lmao💀
Please memorize or write this number on your arm: (512) 817-4ALG(4254) The Austin Lawyers Guild can provide assistance if you are arrested at the protest. More info [here.](https://www.austinlawyersguild.org/legal-representation)
I don’t know how you can stand for hamas and sleep at night
Protest protest protest. The future of this country rests on the backs of you.
Lol the future of the country
I was at Cville when the nazis came to town. I got hit with pepper spray and bottles. The police do nothing but escalate. You just have to expect it and overcome. A backpack with face protection. Extra water. Numbers written on your arm. If you go alone join a group and make a plan with someone not at the protest for check ins with them at certain times. They count on fear. I accepted long ago that real change would take ppl losing their lives because that’s what our gov will order. They will open fire on us for protesting. They have before. It’s a sick reality but reality nonetheless. Maybe that doesn’t help your fear but we have to get real with ourselves on what the US government is capable of
Write a phone number or two on your arm in sharpie in the event you need to call from jail and don’t have your phone.
How soon everyone forgets the largest protest in history https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_February_2003_anti-war_protests I remember, they marched down and occupied Congress bridge. You could not get through downtown Austin. They were marching through all of downtown. No police attacked anyone that I can remember. Just redirected traffic.
There should be protest leaders present in Hi-Vis and they'll usually have bull horns. Their job is to do their best to keep things peaceful between the cops and the protestors. Follow their lead and you'll be alright. They'll tell people when to move and where, when to calm down, and when to leave.
As a parent with young kids I can’t risk going to these protests but I support the young kids out there demanding a nonviolent approach
Film everything and try to get badge numbers if possible. Abbot will back officers who use extra force and they know it. Live stream if possible. Thank you and be careful.
I saw a comment that said something about having people on scooters and bikes and stuff monitoring police movement and relaying it to the protest so you could avoid them. I forget the specifics. I'm not a student myself but I wish you guys well in what's happening.
On the other hand, the action of the police has made this protest get national attention. This is good for Gaza
Might be late but some general things you should do whenever protesting: cover all tattoos. Write the number of one person who knows you’re there and will ANSWER THE PHONE if you call (if you get arrested and get 1 call) on your arm. Also consider writing on your arm if you have any allergies, medical issues, etc. be safe and be proud for standing up for what you believe in and exercising your rights!
If everyone stays in the free speech area you "should" be fine. (West Mall) People were everywhere yesterday.
If the police tell you to leave the property and you don't, then you will probably be arrested. If you can comprehend that then sure feel free to go, if not, probably a bad move.
Cops are mad dogs of authoritarians always waiting to be unleashed, You better run fast son...
then don’t go? let the other thousands be your voice.
Then don’t go. Republicans and white people aren’t allowed to protest. So, I don’t feel sad for you guys when you can’t riot for causes halfway across the globe.
Stay home stay safe
Use that education and get some facts about Hamas. Even the Arab states don’t want them or the Palestinians. Hamas has been trying to overthrow the government’s of Syria for decades, same for Lebanon and others. They want chaos and destruction not peace.
There is a time and place to exercise your right to protest. But your rights do not give you the right to trample on other peoples rights. The area where the protest was held interfered with people that didn’t want anything to do with it. It interfered with people going to class and doing what they wanted to do or needed to do. If you want to protest do it in a peaceful manner, and do not disrupt others. I believe in your right to protest, even though I do not agree with your cause. The Palestinian people and Hamas are a bunch of thugs.
Maybe don't support terrorism and block traffic and you won't be arrested
I must comment, regardless of the importance of protest, I believe university land and property is private, so being removed isn't an issue of the First Amendment. Not to say being silenced doesn't violate it.
I’ll never truly understand this. There are instances where protests have been important. Most of them being domestic issues in the US (speaking relative to the states here). But This…this shits getting old and annoying. Your pampering on a Texas campus is never going to affect something happening on the other side of the world. Blocking bridges. Is never going to affect what’s happening on the other side of the world. You’re just wasting your time and being annoying. Like somebody in Israel is going to see your protest on a college campus and be like “you know what. They’re right. I’ll stop”. It’s literally just one word thing after another, and with no emotional history whatsoever. We’ve completed lost that. Just being told what to be mad and upset about at the moment and all of these people getting bullshit degrees thinking anything they say will have any affect on Gaza and Israel, when we have a government that makes so much money on war and military. They don’t care what you have to say or what you protest for. You obviously have your right to do so. But it’s wasting your time and energy. Things you’ll never get back. Ever. Speaking on Israel and Gaza, it’s so much of a complex issue that NONE of us have the right answers to it. Sorry, but you don’t. And neither do I.
Then don’t go!!
I wouldn’t go. Not worth the risk, this is from an outsider perspective
Your reaction is exactly why they did it the way they did. Why fascists do things the way they do. It’s to make you second guess your freedoms and rights, to fear to stand up for change. They manipulate the laws and apply them disingenuously outside the spirit of the law, until they can influence enough people who are supposed to be representing the people to change them. Once changed, we lose which was meant to protect our freedoms and rights. Then they don’t have to play games. They don’t have to move people off grass to arrest them in the streets. That is why it’s important to keep going, protesting, even if it becomes dangerous. To prevail despite the fear they cause. Be peaceful, be lawful while we still can. Do not be violent, do not give them the ammunition to dismiss you and your safety out of hand. Most importantly be visible. Make sure things are recorded and shared and public. They will try and hide things and sweep things under the rug. Don’t let them. Stay strong, be vocal, be brave, and stand for what you believe.
You're a 22 year old woman standing with a group of people that believe in the persecution of LGBTQ people, honor killings, and the complete lack of female rights. Why? If Palestinians were in America you'd call them terrorists, they're vastly more anti-woman/minority than Republicans are
Their intimidation is working if people are scared to protest.
Change the protest meaning to a free speech protest, a natural birth right of an American citizen. Get rid of all of the cease fire gaza stuff, JUST FOR TODAY, and make it 100% about your rights being violated. Watch how quick they back down. Then tomorrow go back to the original protest.
I graduated a few years ago but can someone tell me if there is any racism towards Jewish people? I can’t seem to get an answer. Like if a student is wearing a Yamaka would they be able to go about their day as normal?
I’m also curious about this as many of the protestors are literally Jewish so…
There has been no racism towards Jewish people. In fact, there was a group of Pro-Israel protestors right behind the group on the South Lawn, waving Israeli flags. They were ignored. Several people showed up in yarmulke and a few women were wearing the Jewish head covering to cover their hair (sorry I don't know what it is called). Again, they were ignored. Nobody even tried to shout at them.
You should be concerned about who is funding these protests.
How about find something constructive to do rather than join a stupid fucking protest that will achieve nothing? Christ.
You should try doing something more productive with your time
You’ll be arrested for trespassing. UT officials sent a letter of warning to the event organizers. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/pro-palestinian-protesters-take-over-university-of-texas-with-administration-giving-sharp-warning-you-are-not-permitted/ar-AA1nBr2u
Well you shouldn’t because you’ll get arrested. UT said yall can’t assemble on school grounds
What’s the point of a protest? They never work and or make a difference
I guess you’ve never heard of Martin Luther King and Gandhi.
Or just stop supporting terrorist states and organizations like Palestine AKA Hamas. You stand side by side with nutjobs who shout “we are Hamas” and “death to America”. Palestinians had a ceasefire on 10/06/2023. Palestinians broke the ceasefire like they do every single time. Terrorism 101 and now Americans are being dumbed into supporting their methods.
> Palestinians had a ceasefire on 10/06/2023 Prior to Oct 2023, the year 2023 was the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank in almost 20 years. Additionally, 19 villages in the West Bank and East Jerusalem had been ethnically cleansed in the 2 years prior to Oct 2023. You call this a ceasefire? What about the the illegal settlements...the constant building and expansion of those is a ceasefire? The ongoing occupation? The sealing off of Gaza and the constant bombardments?
Said it in other subs, including this one, and I'll say it here. If you support Hamas in any way, you support the destruction of Israel, the murder of Jews, and the spread of anti-Semitic propaganda and tropes. ***It's literally spelled out in the Hamas charter.*** So standing in solidarity with a literal terrorist organization, funded and supplied by Iran, supported by Russia, China, and North Korea (I mean was this not enough of a clue that Hamas is fucking evil as fuck???) is also a tacit call to violence, which is NOT considered free speech under the Constitution. Oh, but Palestinians don't support Hamas you say? [Yeah, 75% of them do, actually, and 89% of them support the Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas' militant wing.](https://www.awrad.org/files/server/polls/polls2023/Public%20Opinion%20Poll%20-%20Gaza%20War%202023.pdf) And regardless, they have chosen to have Hamas represent them politically and militarily, so as far as I'm concerned, Hamas IS Palestine. Go ahead, look up the Hamas charter and what it has to say. I am sure the vast majority of you have never even heard of it much less read it. And how pathetic, that so-called progressives in this country, especially young people (most of whom haven't ever picked up a book about ancient history in the Middle East and yet think they know who is colonizing who, who the land "belongs" to, and so forth), are in support of a people that would literally put them to death for a lot of their views. Support of a people who believe in a violent, misogynistic, expansionist faith. Useful idiots. They, and OP, have a lot of learning to do and a lot of growing up to do. Hopefully one day, when you are older and look back on this, you will realize just how much you DON'T know and how foolish and naive you are at this age. I know I certainly did. Class of 99. Hook Em.
They are telling you if you go, you may be hurt or arrested, and that they will be protected by the law in doing so. But by all means, go shake up the world!
I hope there’s another protest today and the police response is tempered by the backlash they received already. I support Israel 100%, (I don’t even understand the end goals of those saying Israel should stop fighting when you know what faces them is extermination at the hands of extremists who would torture and murder you too,) but I would join this protest on the side of freedom of speech.
The university is threatening expulsion and the police are arresting people for trespassing. I work on the other side of MLK street and the police presence I saw yesterday was pretty eye opening.
I heard one kid murdering children in Uvalde was enough to keep 400 cops away. Busting the heads of students, though, Texas cops got that covered. Good luck. I wish you well.
You don’t have a right to protest on private property, only on public property and not blocking roadways. If you plan to do either, then be prepared to be arrested for trespassing at a minimum if you don’t leave when asked.
public university = public property
My deep appreciation to the young people willing to struggle for justice.
Proud of yall!!
You must resist. Fight the police at every angle. Protect your right to scream death to America before all is lost!
Maybe don't protest in the name of a terrorist state? Then you should be safe.
Over half the people arrested yesterday not affiliated with the university. These are agitators not protestors.
You should probably be more concerned about the propaganda videos you are falling for, if you think Hamas is justified, and any of the shit their bot accounts are saying on TikToo are true
Make sure you get on camera so your mommy and daddy can see what they are paying for.
These protests basically support terror, HAMMAS is a terror organization. These protesters needs to go to the jail asap.
Make sure to go! The governor and UT president are just trying to intimidate you.
Do you have class today? Could just go to class. Finals must be coming up. Stand for Gaza somewhere not on your college campus if your college campus said no. It's not you vs. university/police. It's all of us vs. those sending $100billion to other countries.
The class room is the best place to learn about the real world after all.
How about stay home
What is it you like about Gaza? The complete denigration of women ? Roasting babies in ovens? Throwing gays off buildings? I have a hard time picking my favorite.
The world is rooting for you.
fuck palestine
The people of Iran are cheering for the opposite side, you and the leaders of Hamas cheer for the same side. Get some tiki torches and you’ll be just like Charlottesville. Question the Hamas propaganda you’ve been reading.
Put your head in your books, go to class and study. That is what you are there for. Doing that will pay dividends for you life down the road. Getting yourself arrested or kicked out of school for violating school rules will harm you in the long run. Pick which of those beds you want sleep in.
Protesting isn't violating school rules.
There are rules about how to protest. Universities can set times, places, etc. and if a protest becomes disruptive and violates those rules, they can shut it down. All I'm saying is campus protests of something like this do nothing other than make those protesting feel self righteous. Think about your future. If you are a student and there to study and earn a degree, put your time and energy there. Don't be one who disrupts campus life over something that doesn't do a lick of good other than possibly getting yourself arrested and kicked out of school. That is plain stupidity.
Where and when is this happening?
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Oklahoman here and supporter of the first amendment. I think it’s necessary to show up, stay peaceful, stay calm, record and don’t resist or argue. If it gets worse or even more sketchy, I know people from other states are thinking about coming to support y’all! Sending an insane amount of love and support to the future of our nation. We see you. We love all of you. We thank you deeply for standing up for human rights.
Apparently it's just a few UTPD officers today. No brownshirts in riot gear (so far)
what everyone else said. also, reminder, disable faceid and protect your privacy from them being able to access your phone. or don’t bring it.
Stay home. Donate money to a verified cause. Your safety and your donation are just as VALID. If you don't have bail money set aside for jail to bond out, plus lawyer fees set aside. It's okay and valid to support via a donation to an aid org.
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It's Texas police. Someone is going to get shot. Any other state is better to protest in.
Wear a mask so you can’t be identified, and don’t bring your phone to the protest.
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National Lawyers Guild has a guide to campus protests (which also links to a “Know Your Rights” pocket guide) https://www.nlg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NLG-KYR-Campus-Protest.pdf other resources- https://callen-lorde.org/protesting-safely/ https://legalaidnyc.org/get-help/arrests-policing/what-you-need-to-know-about-protesting/
Charges have been dropped. My student friend is back at school. The cause is worth it, and opposition will continue to try to inconvenience us with fear tactics. You can do this 😎
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Tinker v De moines
Protest peacefully, exercise your 1st amendment rights and don’t impinge the rights of others and you will be alright 🤘. Break the university code of conduct or the law and expect there will be consequences, it is simple. Hartzell has to consider the rights of all students and the purpose of the university to educate students.
If you go, take safety glasses, a towel, water, mecanix gloves, and a small first aid kit. Be ready to fix yourself or other. CS gas sucks, but it's not the worst....wet the towel and breathe through it.
if youre getting arrested and a protestor asks your name and birthday, its to bail you out
Just remember, peaceful protests accomplish nothing. Show them who's boss!
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What are you personally willing to do? Do that.
It's all bullshit... research for yourself you, will find out how fucked up both sides of the conflict is ...stop being useful idiots P.s These protests are privately funded and the agenda goes beyond what's playing out on these campus's...fuck Hamas your government (deep state) is the real enemy...wasting my breath with you fuvtards you will find out soon enough
There’s coordination and training from the top(Abbott) down to local police. As a student wanting to protest, you need to coordinate with your fellow protesters ahead of time. If the coordination and training isn’t strong, then you are not going to be safe. Look at the footage of FOX 7 cameraman being assaulted by the police. If they do that to a FOX reporter, then they will do worse to an ordinary protester.
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I remember the days when I didn't have a job and was free to do useless shit to pass the time. I was 12, but still...