Charges against fifteen University of Texas at Austin students, who were arrested during a protest last fall, have been dropped. The students were arrested on October 13, 2021, during a protest against the university’s reopening amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The protesters were charged with various offenses, including trespassing, resisting arrest, and assault on a public servant. However, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza announced on Thursday that the charges were being dropped due to lack of evidence.
In a statement, Garza said, “After reviewing the evidence in these cases, it is clear that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute these cases. As such, we have made the decision to dismiss the charges against the individuals involved.”
The protesters, who were part of the Autonomous Student Network (ASN), had been calling for the university to shift to online learning and provide more support for students during the pandemic. They had also raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students, staff, and faculty at the university.
The decision to drop the charges has been welcomed by the protesters and their supporters. In a statement, the ASN said, “We are pleased that the charges against us have been dropped. We were simply exercising our right to protest and speak out against the university’s inadequate response to the pandemic.”
The university has faced criticism for its handling of the pandemic, with students, faculty, and staff calling for more transparency and support. The protest in October was just one of many actions taken by students in an effort to hold the university accountable.
The dropped charges are seen as a victory for the protesters and a reminder of the importance of free speech and the right to protest. It is hoped that this decision will encourage other universities and institutions to listen to the concerns of their communities and take action to address them.
Overall, the dropping of charges against the UT Austin protesters is a positive development that highlights the power of activism and the importance of holding institutions accountable. It sends a message that peaceful protest and speaking out against injustice are fundamental rights that should be protected and respected.
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