Texas Students Sue Over Protest Arrests, Discipline

Four current and former University of Texas at Austin students have filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Greg Abbott and the university, alleging unlawful arrests and retaliatory discipline during pro-Palestinian protests in April 2024. The students, represented by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, claim their First Amendment rights were violated by aggressive police tactics, including mass arrests and physical force. They are seeking reversal of disciplinary actions, compensation for damages and emotional distress, and measures to prevent similar actions in the future. University officials stated the protest broke campus rules and noted most arrestees were not students, while maintaining a commitment to free speech that does not compromise safety. The lawsuit reflects a broader trend of legal challenges against U.S. universities over their responses to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Governor Abbott has said antisemitism will not be tolerated in Texas, but his office has not commented further on the lawsuit.