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Students at the University of Texas at Austin: Complaint Filed

In April 2024, UT Austin students organized a protest to support Palestinians.  Per the anti-Palestinian motivations of Governor Abbot, UT Austin, and the UT Board of Regents, UT and TX DPS officers violently suppressed the protest and arrested several students (all charges were ultimately dismissed).  UT then penalized the students with deferred suspension, subjecting them to greater discipline for minor infractions    

Verdict/Ruling: Pending

IMPACT

We joined the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Project TAHA and others on behalf of the brave students who were violently punished for their peaceful, pro-Palestinian speech.  This lawsuit should remind Texas government officials that they still have obligations to treat all citizens fairly under federal law

 

Client Name:Students at the University of Texas at Austin
Case Name:Heilrayne et al. v. University of Texas et al.
Date Filed:April 2025
Date Terminated:Ongoing
Legal Department:Civil Litigation department
Gender:Female
Race/Ethnicity:Muslim, Arab, and Allied
Location:Austin, Texas
Occupation:Students
Agency Involved:UT Board of Regents; TX Department of Public Safety
Issues:Free Speech, Discrimination, and Harassment
Case Description:In April 2024, UT Austin students organized a protest to support Palestinians.  Per the anti-Palestinian motivations of Governor Abbot, UT Austin, and the UT Board of Regents, UT and TX DPS officers violently suppressed the protest and arrested several students (all charges were ultimately dismissed).  UT then penalized the students with deferred suspension, subjecting them to greater discipline for minor infractions
Verdict/Ruling:Pending
Impact:We joined the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Project TAHA and others on behalf of the brave students who were violently punished for their peaceful, pro-Palestinian speech.  This lawsuit should remind Texas government officials that they still have obligations to treat all citizens fairly under federal law