Pro-Palestinian protest at UT-Austin leads to at least 50 arrests. Here's what we know

Protests demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas war are occurring on college and university campuses nationwide, including the University of Texas in Austin.

The protest began late Wednesday morning at the UT campus and lasted several hours. About 54 people were arrested in connection to the protest, according to George Lobb, an attorney with the Austin Lawyers Guild who was assisting people who were arrested.

Here's what we know about the event.

Why were students protesting on the UT-Austin campus?

The Palestine Solidarity Committee hosted the rally, advocating for an end to the Israel-Hamas war. This committee is a registered student group and a chapter of the national organization Students for Justice in Palestine.

Amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, the Palestine Solidarity Committee organized the protest in solidarity with students nationwide, who have been urging their universities to divest from Israeli businesses and calling on the federal government to cease supporting Israel's military operations. The protest comes in response to the tragic loss of over 30,000 lives in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

What is a pro-Palestine protest?Here's why U.S. college students are protesting

University President Jay Hartzell said that a group tried to “occupy” part of the campus in protest over the war in Gaza, broke university policies and refused multiple requests to leave.

Students cancel DEI protests amid pro-Palestine protests.

Protest encampments are occurring across at least 20 campuses in the U.S.

According to NBC News, protest encampments are occurring on at least 20 college campuses across the nation, including UT, Harvard University, Brown University, the University of Michigan, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.

More than 50 students went to jail Wednesday amid the peaceful protests

At least 54 people were being held at the Travis County Jail in relation to the protest, George Lobb, an attorney with the Austin Lawyers Guild who was assisting people who had been arrested, told the American-Statesman. Twenty had been booked into the jail shortly after 8 p.m., Travis County sheriff's office spokesperson Kristen Dark said previously.

According to NBC News, around 150 people gathered outside the jail Wednesday night, chanting "Let them out" and "Free Palestine" following the arrests.

Demonstrators outside the jail beat on a drum and chanted, “All charges have got to go.”

More:FOX 7 Austin photographer among dozens arrested at pro-Palestinian protest at UT campus

University President Jay Hartzell said the protests were prohibited

UT President Jay Hartzell emailed the campus Wednesday evening, sharing the news of the students' arrests in relation to the protests.

"Today, our University held firm, enforcing our rules while protecting the Constitutional right to free speech," Hartzell said in the letter. "Peaceful protests within our rules are acceptable. Breaking our rules and policies and disrupting others’ ability to learn are not allowed. The group that led this protest stated it was going to violate Institutional Rules. Our rules matter, and they will be enforced."

See reactionsTexas Gov. Abbott says pro-Palestinian protesters at UT 'belong in jail'

State officials previously attempted to curb the potential for protests on campuses in Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order on March 27 calling for universities to curb antisemitism by revising their free speech policies — specifically mentioning the Palestine Solidarity Committee and Student Justice for Palestine as groups to enforce the policies against, including up to expulsion.

More:Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calls for universities to curb antisemitism, revise free speech

The protests come as the Jewish community celebrates Passover

UT's Texas Hillel, a hub for Jewish student life on campus, noted that the timing of the protests was clear.

"The timing of this protest is not lost on us — making use of a Jewish holiday and observance to promote a hateful agenda — and we quickly contacted our university and security partners to begin coordinating a response plan to keep our campus and our students safe," Hillel's statement said.

"The university has assured us there will be no tolerance for disruption or behaviors misaligned to University policy and the governor's executive order," it added.

Lily Kepner, Skye Seipp, Ella McCarthy and Serena Lin contributed to this report.