Law enforcement clearing out UT Dallas students staging pro-Palestinian encampment, more than a dozen arrested

RICHARDSON, Texas — Tensions are high as law enforcement is removing pro-Palenstine protesters on the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) campus in Richardson Wednesday afternoon.

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office and protest organizers alike confirmed to WFAA that at least 19 arrests have been made — but that number could increase as law enforcement works to clear out the encampment.

All the 19 are facing trespassing charges, one is facing an additional resisting arrest charge. Sources close to the protest organizers tell WFAA that two of those arrested are likely professors, and the majority are likely students.

WFAA’s Chopper 8 was flying above where mangled tents and barricades were set up in UTD’s Chess Plaza, which the protestors are referring to as the “Gaza Liberation Plaza,” according to a press release from Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). 

Pick-up trucks were seen hauling away tents, water, and more supplies students had staged at the encampment.

The Texas Department of Public Safety,  Richardson PD and the Collin County Sheriff’s Department each confirmed to WFAA that it had officers on the scene assisting with the situation, with each department pointing to UT Dallas Police as the lead responding agency.

Allen Police vehicles could also be seen on campus near the encampment. 

The Dallas Police Department said it is not on the scene.

This same group behind he encampment on Wednesday previously staged a 10-hour sit-in on April 23 in a wing of UTD’s administration building. 

The group is calling on UTD administration to divest from companies linked to Israel and the war in Gaza, including defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. Protestors told WFAA they do not plan to leave until their demands are met.

This is the first encampment at a North Texas university but not the first protest. University of North Texas students staged a protest without incident Tuesday. Meanwhile in Austin, police moved in on University of Texas protesters Monday who were attempting to set up an encampment on the South Mall. 

After last Tuesday’s sit-in, UT Dallas President Richard Benson agreed to meet Friday to discuss student’s demands. The meeting ended as representatives from SJP walked out after delivering a letter containing the student’s demands, according to the release. 

Beyond divesting from corporations linked to Israel and the war, the students demanded UTD reject a recent executive order signed by Gov. Greg Abbott that the group says targets pro-Palestinian protestors and release a public statement calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. 

This is a developing story. WFAA will update this story as additional information becomes available.