No one was arrested for protesting

The University of Texas at Dallas is not immune to the controversies afflicting universities across the country due to the Israel-Hamas war. Despite these challenges, UT Dallas vigorously protects the rights to free speech and assembly. While we value these rights, they are not absolute on a college campus.

At UT Dallas, there have been about 10 protests related to the conflict since late fall, all of which have been publicly announced. Although loud and perceived by some in our community as hostile, the protests complied with Texas’ recently expanded free speech laws and did not disrupt university operations.

Until the last two weeks, our students have shown respect for the guidelines we have in place for gathering on campus. In return, we supported their right to express their deeply held beliefs.

In the early hours of May 1, a small group of protesters set up a barricaded encampment in the middle of our campus—an action that violated University rules and was carried out without prior notice or authorization. In addition to tents, the barricade included wooden pallets, tires and other obstacles that impeded movement across a main campus route. It was a well-planned, deliberately provocative operation, and as food and water were delivered throughout the day, it quickly became clear that the organizers planned to be there for days or weeks rather than hours.

Starting around 6 a.m., university leaders called for the camp to be relocated or dismantled. At 3 p.m., university officials then sent a formal written notice that the encampment violated university regulations and must be removed immediately. Although many took the opportunity to leave the camp, some chose to stay.

After it became apparent that those remaining refused to comply, university police, along with other law enforcement agencies, began clearing the barricaded area. Twenty-one people were arrested for trespassing, including nine who are not currently affiliated with UTD.

It is important to note that no one was arrested as a protester. In fact, hundreds protested vehemently outside the camp – perhaps after leaving it seconds before law enforcement arrived – and continued to do so well into the evening. None of these protesters were arrested. No one was arrested on May 3, when another protest was held in accordance with state law and university rules.

I understand and welcome the impulse of our students and our community to respond to humanitarian crises around the world. After all, the whole world is where our graduates operate.

Regrettably, the May Day encampment was different from all protests before and since, and was therefore the catalyst for the university’s response. Such an encampment, established under the cover of night in the center of our campus and preventing faculty, staff and students from carrying out their daily functions, is not protected by the First Amendment or our speech and assembly policies.

Both the right to free speech and the safety of our community were protected on May 1st. As previously mentioned, after the encampment was dismantled, the protest continued into the evening at another location on campus without disruption or incident.

I trust the premise that no matter where someone stands on a particular issue, UT Dallas will continue to be a community that accepts diverse viewpoints while providing a safe environment for them to do so.

Richard C. Benson is president of the University of Texas at Dallas.

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