A video shared on Facebook claims the Texas National Guard confronted pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Texas-Austin.
Verdict: Misleading
The video does not show Texas National Guard troops. They were not involved in recent confrontations or clashes.
Fact Check:
Police have arrested hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses across the United States, according to USA Today. At least 79 protesters were arrested at the University of Texas-Austin on April 29, the Austin American-Statesman reported.
Social media posts are claiming that Texas National Guardsmen confronted protesters at the University of Texas-Austin.
“Texas University students demonstration confront US National Guard. The demonstrations are part of US nationwide campus protests in solidarity with Palestine which demand the educational institutions divest from companies that are doing business with Israel,” One user wrote.
This claim is misleading. While the video shows law enforcement confronting protesters in late April, they are not part of the Texas National Guard. These were Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) personnel, VERIFY reported.
“While the Texas National Guard was aware and prepared to respond to the protests at UT, no Soldiers were dispatched to the campus during the event. [The Texas Department of Public Safety] and law enforcement partners did not require assistance. The Texas National Guard is prepared to respond if requested,” a spokesperson for the Texas Military Department told VERIFY.
A spokesperson for the university told The Associated Press that the claim was false. Texas DPS released a statement on their response to the University of Texas-Austin, stating they were sent “in order to prevent any unlawful assembly and to support UT Police in maintaining the peace by arresting anyone engaging in any sort of criminal activity, including criminal trespass.”
President Joe Biden said May 2 that the National Guard should not intervene in these protests, according to CBS News. (RELATED: Donald Trump Claims Jimmy Kimmel ‘Stumbled Through Announcing’ Picture Of The Year At 2024 Oscars)