Lily Kepner @lilykepner Twitter profile

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Lily Kepner

22 days

Confused at what happened at the protest Wednesday? Here is a timeline of what happened at @UTAustin based on what @skyesighp and I directly observed:

What happened at pro-Palestinian protest at UT-Austin? Here's the timeline of events

The protest had a significant police presence, with state and local officers on horseback, bikes, foot, motorcycles and in vehicles.

www.statesman.com

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

State police are moving in toward protestors.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

There have been at least 3 arrests. Protestors are sitting down and continuing to link arms.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

More arrests are happening as police seek to break up the circle

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

BREAKING: Protestors chanting “free Palestine” are setting up tents at @UTAustin on the South Mall in front of tower.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

UPDATE: dozens of state troopers have just arrived to @UTAustin .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

21 days

New protest rules form today: @UTAustin says those who have previously been arrested for trespassing aren’t allowed on campus. I asked if it matters if charges were dropped, a UT spokesperson said it doesn’t. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

17 days

UPDATE: A source at @UTAustin tells me that 46 out of 77 arrests at yesterday’s protest were not UT students.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

New: @UTAustin staff member and alum Rhiannon Hamam said she was arrested yesterday at the protest. “I am here to speak to you about her betrayal,” Hamam said. “We have all been betrayed by Jay Hartzell.”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

New: Faculty member Karma Chavez said faculty “no longer have confidence” in @UTAustin President @JCHartzell . “The same president who called to cops on students is the same president who fired 60 staff” Chavez said.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

Going through my photos from yesterday, found this. Taken at 12:10 p.m., just as protestors started marching. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Chemical spray was used again against protestors at @UTAustin . Protestors retreated, and then moved back up to meet police:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

More protestors chant against the police:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

21 days

Students at @UTAustin are engaging in peaceful teach-ins on the South Mall. Professors are here too. There is art, food, music, water and discussions about power and social Justice. Story to come via @statesman .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Crowd moving up 22nd street back toward tower, though police are blocking way. “Off our campus” protestors chant.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Faculty from @UTAustin gather on the Tower steps in graduation attire as a vigil for Scholasticide - defined as acts that deteriorate education for a particular group.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Protestors outside Sutton Hall at @UTAustin tell the @statesman they have been pepper sprayed. A reporter who was there confirmed pepper spray was used twice.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Now:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Protestors have formed a circle guarding the tents, linking arms and holding signs. There are about 5 tents in the center.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

UPDATE: At least 60 @UTAustin staff have lost their job, a source with knowledge of the information confirms. Follow updates at the link below and @statesman .

Sources: UT lays off at least 60 employees previously in DEI-related position, closes DCCE

Hartzell said in an email to UT that they closed the DCCE and eliminated the positions as the university continues to "reduce overlaps."

www.statesman.com

Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

2 months

BREAKING: At least four staff AT @UTAustin have lost their jobs, sources confirm. These staff previously had worked in DEI-related positions pre-SB 17. This is a developing story. Find updates via @statesman .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

Faculty from @UTAustin Black Studies speak now. “We stand beside all students who fight for a just future.”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Protestors have returned to South Mall @UTAustin :

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

More police entering:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Protestors are throwing water on the Tower West entrance, where police just went through.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

An officer closes one side of a van with arrested individuals inside. I’ve seen at least 9 arrests first hand. From inside, protestors still change”free Palestine.”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Update: police have arrested more protestors at @UTAustin . Medics have gone in to provide water and help due to the intense heat. At least 8 have been arrested, according to arrests I have personally seen. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

BREAKING: the first student arrested yesterday, a PSC leader, has been released and is at the protest.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

UPDATE: first arrest has been made.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Protestors are chanting “Our Lawn”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

UPDATE: There are no more protestors from the circle where the encampment was held at @UTAustin . Some have left to seek medical attention for the heat, many were arrested.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

Today’s protest at @UTAustin ended after an hour and a half of chanting and speeches from doctors who had been in Gaza, a student who had been arrested, and faculty who support protesters and call for a ceasefire in Gaza. There was no police intervention.

Pro-Palestinian, labor rights groups hold May Day protest Sunday at UT Tower

"This is a long-term battle." Several pro-Palestinian groups came together for a May Day protest at the UT Tower on Sunday.

www.statesman.com

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

I’m on @UTAustin campus today to cover a May Day protest for Palestine, the first large protest since the suprise encampment April 29. An hour and a half before the protest is set to start, there’s a few police cars. The tower plaza is blocked. I’ll post updates here. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

I and my @statesman colleagues will continue to cover this story. If you were at the protest today, were arrested, have information about the arrests or are a @UTAustin community member who wants to share your story with us please contact me at lkepner @statesman .com. Thank you.

Austin Statesman

@statesman

23 days

At pro-Palestinian rally at UT-Austin, protesters arrested

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Protestors have moved up 22nd st in front of George Washington statue.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

NEW: The last few protestors are being arrested at @UTAustin . @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

2 months

BREAKING: At least four staff AT @UTAustin have lost their jobs, sources confirm. These staff previously had worked in DEI-related positions pre-SB 17. This is a developing story. Find updates via @statesman .

Sources: UT lays off at least 60 employees previously in DEI-related position, closes DCCE

Hartzell said in an email to UT that they closed the DCCE and eliminated the positions as the university continues to "reduce overlaps."

www.statesman.com

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Students link arms in front of police horses, chanting “Free Palestine.”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

7 months

Some personal news: I am thrilled to announce that as of Monday I am the new Higher Education Reporter at the @statesman . Austin students, educators, faculty and administrators, please don't hesitate to DM me with story ideas or tips :) Can't wait to dive in!

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

There have been at least 10 more arrests at @UTAustin in the last 20 minutes.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

NEW: Austin Lawyers Guild attorney George Lobb says at least 43 people were arrested at @UTAustin today. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

3 years

Some personal news ... Next semester, I will be the Editor-in-Chief of @dailyfreepress . After two years at the paper, my love and passion has only grown. I can't thank @colbiedmonds & @cameron_mors enough for their mentorship, and can't wait to make the FreeP even stronger soon!

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

17 days

I’m at Travis County Jail talking to people who are waiting for arrested protestors to be released. Sending updates to @statesman . There are more than 50 people here, who are now chanting:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

More arrests:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

17 days

This is based off preliminary numbers, I’m told.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Arrests from the circle keep increasing. More than 20 total since beginning, at least:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

2:50 p.m. update: Current situation on the South Lawn by @UTAustin Tower. My colleague @skyesighp has seen an additional 6 arrests at this location, bringing the total up to 15 arrests. Tents that were set up seem to be taken down. APD, UTPD and state troopers are still here.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Now: Students are peacefully dispersing. Officials from @UTAustin and police declined to comment on why the peaceful protest was told to disperse. Police have stopped blocking speedway.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

My estimate is at least 30, but I suspect it could be higher based on the size of the initial group.

Chase Rogers

@ChaseRogersDMN

18 days

I’ve lost count of the arrests. Here’s @UTAustin police using an office chair to transport one protester from the South Mall. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

2 months

BREAKING: Hartzell told UT community in an email obtained by the @statesman that the Division of Campus and Community Engagement is closing.

Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

2 months

BREAKING: At least four staff AT @UTAustin have lost their jobs, sources confirm. These staff previously had worked in DEI-related positions pre-SB 17. This is a developing story. Find updates via @statesman .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

I love my job, and I am deeply passionate about reporting on higher education in Austin, but @statesman needs a fair contract from @Gannett to support a sustainable newsroom that keeps producing needed service and accountability journalism. I am on strike with @AustinNewsGuild .

Austin NewsGuild

@AustinNewsGuild

1 month

Journalists at the @Statesman are on strike in protest of @Gannett ’s unfair labor practices and bad-faith bargaining. Please support us by sharing our strike fund, joining us at noon at the South Congress Bridge and not crossing the digital picket line.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

Curfew at UT starts at 10 p.m.. Several officers from @UTAustin police and @TxDPS are by tower. Students are on the South Mall. I’m here reporting for @statesman .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

. @aaup_utAustin President Polly Strong said faculty demand charges against students be dropped and for no disciplinary action be taken. “This is a time for the university to respect free speech, academic freedom and its own students and faculty.”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

New: State police now have shields. An officer told me this is standard, but it is new on the scene. Protestors at @UTAustin are chanting for a ceasefire. More than a hundred students still border the south lawn. Updates to come via @statesman .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

UPDATE: @UTAustin police gave verbal dispersal order effective immediately. Said people can be arrested for rioting, disrupting a passageway or highway or criminal trespassing.

Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Dispersal order at South Mall. No verbal announcement has been made.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Protestors who were outside the circle have now been moved to the sidewalk:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Important, impactful photojournalism today by @statesman journalists @jayjanner , @photo_Brazziell , @MikalaCompton and @sara_diggins .

Pro-Palestinian protest held at UT-Austin, protesters arrested. Here's what it looked like.

More than 50 protesters were handcuffed and loaded into police cars at a peaceful protest held by the Palestine Solidarity Committee on UT's campus.

www.statesman.com

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

Current crowd size:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

9 days

NEW: At today’s @utsystem board meeting, Chairman Eltife expressed his public support for how UT institutions have handled recent pro-Palestine protests on campus and publicly thanked @TxDPS with a standing ovation from the board meeting.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

17 days

. @HeathKeri reports that the first person arrested at yesterday’s encampment at @UTAustin has been released from jail. This comes a little more than 24 hours after the first arrest was made:

Keri Heath

@HeathKeri

17 days

The first person I’ve seen released has come out of the jail.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

Students are now chanting “Hartzell Out.”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

NEW: People gather as police load arrested individuals from @UTAustin Tower into Travis County Sheriff bus. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

At 8 a.m. this morning, these signs could be found on @UTAustin buildings. Others were removed. #txed

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 year

I’m thrilled to say I had the honor of receiving the Blue Chip Award for leadership & the Jerome Nachman Award for writing from @COMatBU today! Thank you so much @reporterbrooke and @mitchellzuckoff for recommending me and for everything you do. I feel so grateful! Proud to BU :)

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Students have cleared to the sides.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

As of 10:45 p.m., there is a peaceful assembly of about 70 students with music at the @UTAustin South Mall. There is a violin, guitars and a saxophone. No chanting.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

The faculty at the protest said they do not have confidence in President Hartzell. The @TexasTribune reported that there was a petition circulating to ask faculty to sign in support. No formal confidence vote of all faculty has been taken.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

17 days

UPDATE: @UTAustin spokesperson said in a 4 p.m. update that 34 UT students and 45 people who were not affiliated with the university were arrested yesterday at the encampment.

Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

17 days

UPDATE: A source at @UTAustin tells me that 46 out of 77 arrests at yesterday’s protest were not UT students.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

NOW: People are gathering on the Main Mall in front of the tower. Students are telling me they are nervous on campus about police coming today, but support protestors free speech. Student affairs staff are passing out these flyers:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

A few dozen protestors have gathered on the South Mall at @UTAustin .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

Front page story today @statesman : read what lawmakers, community leaders from @TexasNAACP @TexasAaup told press about the layoffs of former DEI staff at @UTAustin . “This was a breach of trust” State Rep. @ronereynolds said.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 year

Burnout and imposter syndrome in student journalism is real: let’s talk about it. Here’s my story, and why I will love and dedicate myself to the field time and time again. A love letter to journalism and the class I’m graduating with. Read below :)

Why journalism?

dailyfreepress.com

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

I’m at Travis County Jail this morning. I talked to a @UTAustin student who was arrested and released at 4 a.m.. Protestors were held in cells or processing rooms, he said. I talked to one friend who said they have been here since midnight waiting for their friend. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Happening now: chants at Rally for DEI at @UTAustin West Mall.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

Austin Police and State Troopers are now by the fountain at @UTAustin .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

INBOX: Statement from @UTAustin regarding today

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Police are filling speedway between the two groups of protesters. Protesters are chanting “let her go,” referring to an individual who was arrested. I have seen or spoken to direct witnesses of 4 arrests.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

A crowd has regathered.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

Students and staff are reeling after @UTAustin told at least 60 staff members they would lose their jobs and closed a division offering “life saving” services 3 months after SB 17. “We did not see this coming,” a student tells me. Read the story below.

'We did not see this coming': UT staff, students react to layoffs, DCCE closure after SB17

UT community is shocked and saddened after the layoffs of an estimated 60 staff members and the closing of the DDCE post Texas' anti-DEI bill, SB 17.

www.statesman.com

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

8 days

I was interviewed on @1a today by @JWhitePubRadio about the pro-Palestine protests at @UTAustin and the upcoming commencement. Here's what we talked about:

The state of the student protests in support of Palestinians

Where do the protests now stand? And what do students make of universities’ response to them?

the1a.org

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

Chants begin in front of the George Washington statue:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

INBOX: @TexasNAACP President Gary Bledsoe released a statement before a press conference today stating that the org has verified 66 people who have lost their jobs from @UTAustin . He writes they believe the total is “greatly in excess” of that number. Stay tuned via @statesman .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Update: Students are chanting “Free Palestine” on Speedway.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

I talked to protestors, @UTAustin , members of the Jewish community and students waiting for their friends to be released at the jail last week about the protests at UT that resulted in arrests. Here’s how the groups say the protests were different.

Pro-Palestinian protests have happened at UT before. How are the new ones different?

Almost 20 pro-Palestinian events at UT since Oct. 7 happened without arrests. Here's why protestors, Jewish community and UT say protests escalated.

www.statesman.com

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

Dispersal order at South Mall. No verbal announcement has been made.

UT Austin Police

@UTAustinPolice

18 days

📢 NOTICE: A dispersal order has been issued. Please leave the South Mall area immediately. Thank you for your cooperation.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

NEW: I talked to a reporter from @thedailytexan reporter who was right next to an individual when they were arrested. Police are handcuffing another individual now.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

See @UTAustin ’s statement below about todays protest:

Tony Plohetski

@tplohetski

18 days

NEW: The University of Texas has released the following statement saying UT received “extensive online threats from a group organizing today’s protest.” 👇

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

More people are being arrested.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

3 years

I absolutely loved working on this piece for @dailyfreepress to end my first official week of publishing as the Features editor! Thankful I could report on this historic moment at @fenwaypark and for the team at the FreeP who made it possible :)

Daily Free Press Features

@DFPfeatures

3 years

Around 150 people received the COVID-19 vaccination at Fenway Park Friday during its soft launch as the state’s second mass vaccination site. The site officially opens Feb. 1 to Phase 1 priority groups and individuals aged 75 and older.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

. @aaup_utAustin has sent a letter to @UTAustin president @JCHartzell imploring him to revoke the terminations and reinstate the DCCE. They write “Staff who have been terminated deserve to be told why they are being terminated, and they deserve a grievance process.”

UT Austin AAUP

@aaup_utAustin

1 month

✊🏽✊🏾✊ In solidarity with dozens of @UTAustin staff who were fired in a purge of employees who had formerly worked in #DEI positions, we wrote today to @JCHartzell to demand that they be reinstated and that @UT_DCCE be restored.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

29 days

I’m at @accdistrict Round Rock campus today with @txst President @kdamp and ACC Chancellor @LoweryHart as they announce a direct transfer program between the institutions. Story soon via @statesman .

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

NEW: There are at least 7 state troopers at @UTAustin Gregory Gym where pro-Palestinian protesters are gathering in solidarity with @Columbia protestors and others for Palestine. There are at least 10 UTPD officers.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

23 days

Live coverage below. Arrest count is now at 20.

Austin Statesman

@statesman

23 days

UT-Austin students hold pro-Palestinian protest on campus, at least 15 protesters arrested

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

22 days

People on the lawn are singing:

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

1 month

INBOX: @TexasAaup , @TexasNAACP say 40 staff members let go were from the DDCE and “Many of the employees in question did not have jobs where there were simple labeling changes, they were in jobs and positions that were very different responsibilities from their former DEI jobs.”

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

12 days

Multiple @UTAustin police officers are carrying zip ties. No protestors have gathered yet.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

NOW: Two more protestors arrested.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

6 months

It’s Election Day! At @UTAustin students and staff waited in a line that stretched around the corner at the UT Flawn Academic Center polling location. Students activists are distributing voting information 100 feet away, and some students are voting for the first time. @statesman

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

18 days

From my @statesman colleague:

Tony Plohetski

@tplohetski

18 days

BREAKING: Travis County officials have been informed that 100+ protesters may be soon brought to jail, and charges likely will be more serious than last week, including resisting arrest and possibly assault. That could mean signifcantly longer release times than Wednesday.

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Lily Kepner

@lilykepner

25 days

NEW: @UTAustin records show 10 terminations in Student Affairs the same day @JCHartzell said 49 lost jobs in a SB17-related reorganization. UT says the 10 positions are unrelated, but faculty say it represents lost resources in a student-facing division.

UT records show 59 jobs lost April 2, not all in former DEI positions; restructuring cited

The records indicate that there were 39 terminations in the Division of Campus and Community Engagement alone.

www.statesman.com

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