Two arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration, according to groups

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two people were arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration Sunday afternoon, according to groups who organized the event. 

Hundreds from all over Texas flooded Austin’s downtown to protest the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as the dozens of arrests that happened at pro-Palestinian demonstrations at UT Austin.

Event organizers said the event was held Sunday to also commemorate the al-Nakba, or "the Catastrophe," when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in 1948 were displaced from what is now the Israeli state, according to the Associated Press. 

“We are here making a statement of mass support for Palestinians who are facing an ongoing genocide,” said Niveen Abtelwhed, with the Palestinian Youth Movement.

Dozens of Austin Police officers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers lined the streets as protesters walked and chanted. 

Abtelwhed told KXAN they hoped to host the event on the Capitol Lawn but were unable to get a permit. Instead, people walked from the Texas State Capitol, down Congress Ave., through Austin’s downtown and back to the capitol. 

The walk was peaceful until the group passed the Texas Governor’s Mansion. There, dozens of DPS Troopers wearing protective gear formed a blockade around the building. Ultimately, two protesters were arrested. 

After the arrests, a group of people headed to the Travis County Jail to sit and chant. 

“We’ve been on the streets since October 7,” said Tori Ramirez, a protester from San Antonio who claims her boyfriend was one of those arrested. 

She said her boyfriend has attempted to de-escalate a conflict when he was detained by officers. 

“They’ve thrown everything they can at us and it hasn't stopped. So, despite this arrest, we’re still going to return to the streets afterward,” Ramirez said.