Protests against the ongoing conflict in Gaza turned fierce on the University of Texas campus in the U.S. city of Austin on Wednesday, with students loudly calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and demanding their university divest from weapons manufacturers.
Students and police become involved in a stand-off lasting several hours, as protesters locked arms on one side and faced-off with state police on the other, with some officers brandising batons in their hands and others using their bikes to physically push demonstrators back.
Those who crossed the line or forcibly resisted were later arrested, with some seen being shoved to the ground and having their hands zip tied.
One of the main demands among protesters is for the University of Texas to divest their holdings in weapons manufacturers, as the war in Gaza drags on.
The University of Texas has one of the largest public endowment funds in the United States. According to Women for Weapons Trade Transparency, the fund held more than 52 million U.S. dollars worth of debt and equity securities of 16 weapons and weapons systems manufacturers, including major aerospace and defense companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing.
Protesters voiced their anger at the university while also appealing for an end to the conflict which has claimed over 34,000 lives so far.
"It is insane that this educational institution that preaches all of these high, lofty ideals about education and understanding and making the world a better place is making money off of death and destruction and genocide," said David Dawson, a student at the University of Texas at Austin.
"You can see real time what's happening and when you see real time what's happening to children and babies, it's difficult not to get passionate about it," said Naila Aaijaz, an alumni.
School administrators said on Tuesday night they had notified the organizers, the Palestine Solidarity Committee, that they were not allowed to hold the gathering. But upwards of 500 protesters came out to show their support.
"I'm here because I'm tired of my taxpayer money, everyone's taxpayer money funding the killing of innocents. I won't tolerate it. Nobody here will. That's why we are here," said James O'Brien, another student.
Students say the demonstrations will continue with plans for a vigil to be held outside the Travis County jail, where those who were arrested are being held.
Texas students, police stand-off amid passionate demonstrations calling for Gaza ceasefire
