Criminal trespassing charges were dropped against 79 peo ple arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin on April 29.
There are still other cases with more serious charges related to the April arrests that are still under review, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza said at a press conference on June 26.
The protesters were charged with criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine up to $2,000 or both.
While the arrests met the initial requirements for probable cause, Garza said her office could not meet the legal burden of proving the charges without a reasonable doubt.
The April 29 arrests were part of the second police crackdown on pro-Palestinian demonstrations at UT-Austin. A protest on April 24 resulted in 57 people being arrested, most of whom were charged with criminal trespassing. Garza said those charges were quickly dismissed because law enforcement lacked probable cause.
Gov. Greg Abbott and other state leaders praised the arrests, calling the protests "hate-filled and anti-semitic.” Free speech advocates have criticized state GOP leaders who supported the crackdowns despite pushing for legislation to protect free speech on college campuses in 2019.
