Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety took swift action Wednesday to crack down on pro-Hamas rioters in Austin who attempted to take over the campus of the University of Texas.
The response in Texas was markedly different than the response to violence committed against Jews on Columbia University's campus in New York this past week.
Bettencourt said, "This obviously paid flyer is digitally all over campus, and is an outside influence trying to find susceptible or even willing students to use as protest pawns, aka 'comrades; per this sheet? while the right of freedom of speech is a Constitutional guarantee in the United States, reclaiming something you don't own is not! Protests that turn violent only injure those that shouldn't be hurt." He said UT-Austin, Austin Police Department and Texas DPS "Won't allow that to happen in Texas." The protestors were met with Texas DPS officers dressed in riot gear and arrested.
Abbott shared a video of Texas DPS officers' efforts, saying, "Arrests being made right now and will continue until the crowd disperses. These protesters belong in jail. Antisemitism will not be tolerated in Texas. Period. Students joining in hate-filled, antisemitic protests at any public college or university in Texas should be expelled." DPS troopers were in full force in Austin, including those arriving from Houston.
In response, Texas DPS officers pushed protesters back with riot gear, blocked off access with a range of barricades, warned everyone that they were criminally trespassing and if they didn't leave, would be arrested.
According to a recent report, UT-Austin received a B grade for combating antisemitism; Rice University in Houston received an F. Abbott, the Texas legislature and state leaders have held a zero tolerance policy for antisemitism, advancing several efforts to protect Jews in Texas, The Center Square has reported.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has reminded businesses about Texas' Israel boycott list, saying, "Texas has long been a friend and ally of Israel, and we support Israel's right to defend its land and people. Companies that do business with the state of Texas should keep that in mind."
https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/article_47726ef4-0290-11ef-9f79-87aa09833f4d.html
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