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It seems like your message is about the ongoing protests and demonstrations related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Here’s a rephrased version:
A significant movement among college students advocating for pro-Palestinian causes has reached the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) as of Wednesday.
The protests in the U.S. initially began at Columbia University in New York on April 17, where students set up an encampment demanding an end to Israel’s actions in Gaza and urging the college to divest from companies profiting from the conflict.
Since then, similar encampments have appeared on campuses across the country, including multiple locations in Texas. UT Dallas Police Department reported making 20 arrests related to these protests.
NBC 5’s Candace Sweat reported from the scene of the encampment at UTD, where Collin County Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Deputy Jeff Price announced that those arrested would not appear before a magistrate until Thursday morning.
Earlier in the week, police forcibly removed protesters from an encampment at the University of Texas at Austin after they refused to disperse. However, protests at the University of North Texas on Tuesday remained peaceful, with no arrests.
At UTD, tents were set up at Chess Plaza, attracting several dozen people. While it’s unclear if all attendees were students, signs reading “Free Palestine” and “Free Gaza” were visible. Another sign declared the area as “Welcome to Gaza Liberation Plaza.”
On Wednesday, UT issued a notice stating that encampments are not allowed on campus, passageways cannot be blocked, and violators may face charges of criminal trespass.
Law enforcement officers, including those from the UT Dallas Department of Public Safety, Texas State Troopers, and the sheriff’s office, were observed dismantling the encampment and making arrests just before 4 p.m.
A student interviewed by NBC 5 expressed support for Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and criticized the actions of the officers removing the protesters.
While protests across the country have largely focused on the Israel-Hamas conflict, the situation at UTD remained peaceful as of Wednesday noon. However, clashes have occurred at other campuses, such as the University of California, Los Angeles, where opposing groups engaged in physical altercations. Additionally, police at Columbia University intervened to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters who had occupied a building, disrupting school activities.