Sam Law Describes His Arrest During Protest at University of Texas

Sam Law, a Jewish American graduate student, shared his harrowing experience following a protest at the University of Texas in Austin, in a recent interview with Al Jazeera. Law, who attended the protest centered around the discussion of the destruction of universities in Gaza, recounted the events that unfolded that day.

Taking a Stand

Law found himself embroiled in a series of events that unfolded after a group of students began erecting tents around 12:45 pm. Reacting swiftly, Law joined fellow protesters in forming a human chain to shield the tents from removal.

Law explained, “We witnessed the president of our university deploying militarized police forces, armed with guns, riot gear, and even horses, last Wednesday. So, when I rushed to the scene, I knew what awaited us. As a Jewish American, it was essential for me to take a stand and emphasize that such actions should not be committed in my name.”

A Strong Sense of Unity

Describing the tense situation, Law described how the protesters were encircled by the authorities. Gradually, law enforcement began to disperse the protesters, one by one, over the course of several hours. Despite the difficulty faced, Law witnessed an unwavering sense of unity among the students and community members involved in the demonstration. Notably, Law was not alone in his Jewish identity, as there were fellow protesters wearing Kippas.

Law added, “There were individuals who sustained severe injuries. I witnessed people unable to walk due to injured ankles, one person covered in blood, individuals experiencing asthma attacks and diabetic crises, and people with tears streaming down their faces. Medics were on hand to assist those affected, providing saline solutions to cleanse the effects of pepper spray.”