Dozens gather on UT campus after graduation for pro-Palestine protest

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Dozens of people gathered at the University of Texas at Austin campus on Saturday night to for a pro-Palestine protest after commencement ceremonies ended.

People were seen gathering shortly before 10 p.m., with the Texas Department of Public Safety and UT Police watching from a distance. UT Austin officials were also present and monitoring the demonstration but were later seen walking away.

At the demonstration, people were heard chanting "nothing here to celebrate" and "Palestine will be free."

Another protest at commencement was organized by Austin Students for a Democratic Society.

Previously, there was concern whether commencement ceremonies would proceed as planned following the April 24 protest where law enforcement clashed with pro-Palestine protesters on the UT campus. That protest ended in dozens of arrests.

Ceremonies began Thursday and continued through Saturday evening. Students who graduated Saturday morning could be seen snapping photos with family and friends near the iconic UT tower, the same site where the troubling conflict happened just two weeks ago, sparking debates over free speech and the right to protest on college campuses.