WATCH: Gov. Abbott Shows Columbia How To Handle Anti-Israel Agitators - 'No Encampments Allowed'

On Monday, anti-Israel students at the University of Texas at Austin once again attempted to set up an encampment on the South Lawn of the Texas university after having faced off with university and state police last week. Once again, the students were met with state troopers in riot gear who arrested dozens and prompted Gov. Greg Abbott to issue a clear statement to any and all demonstrators attempting to occupy Texas universities.

"No encampments will be allowed," Abbott wrote in a post to X. "Instead, arrests are being made." According to the sheriff's office, 79 people were arrested during the protest after UTPD issued a dispersal order at 1 PM CST. The authorities charged most of the demonstrators with criminal trespass, but one protestor received an additional charge of obstructing a roadway, and another agitator was charged with interfering with public duties, per KXAN.

It was later revealed that a majority, 46 of 79, of those arrested were not students at the 40 Acres but instead were outside agitators attempting to inflame the students into violence. When police confronted demonstrators last week, the local authorities arrested 57 individuals, all of whom later had their charges dropped by the left-wing district attorney in Austin

In response to the demonstrations, the University of Texas explained that officers took "swift action" to ensure that class was not disrupted amid final exams for the student body. "Earlier today, a number of protestors, many believed to be non-UT affiliated individuals, erected a tent encampment on the South Lawn, with a barricade enclosure of tables secured by metal chains, and strategically placed tools, tents, and rocks," the university said in a statement. "When approached, protestors escalated by becoming physically and verbally combative with Dean of Students' staff. In response, the University of Texas took swift action to preserve a safe, conducive learning environment for our 53,000 students as they prepare for final exams."

"Because of the encampments and other violations of the University's Institutional Rules related to protests, protestors were told repeatedly to disperse," the statement added. "When they refused to disperse, some arrests were made for trespassing. Others were arrested for disorderly conduct."

The treatment of anti-Israel protesters at UT Austin is in stark contrast to the riotous behavior seen at Columbia University on Monday. The mob of students who have been occupying the Morningside campus for the past two weeks stormed Hamilton Hall and occupied the building. During the late-night siege, the agitators broke windows, blocked the doorways, and barricaded themselves inside with picnic tables and metal guardrails. The students at Columbia, some of whom likely aren't even students, should get the Texas treatment.

https://twitter.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/1785039126812586201
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Don't mess with Texas

This is UT Austin pic.twitter.com/xORHvFEnPI

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) April 29, 2024

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