Travis County prosecutor Delia Garza has urged University of Texas-Austin leadership to seek a compromise with student protest organizers to alleviate the strain on law enforcement resources. The call for compromise comes as police presence on campus has led to nearly 80 arrests, with at least 65 criminal trespass cases being processed by Garza's office.
Garza emphasized that criminal trespass is one of the lowest level non-violent crimes her office deals with and detaining protesters for this offense is burdening the criminal justice system. The high volume of cases has caused delays in normal processes, with magistrates working to determine eligibility for release.
Expressing concern over the impact on public safety, Garza highlighted that diverting a large number of Austin Police Department officers to handle protest-related arrests reduces resources available for responding to urgent calls such as domestic violence and assaults.
Garza also stressed the importance of upholding the right to peaceful protest and avoiding escalation of demonstrations due to perceived restrictions. She criticized the use of the criminal justice system to preemptively detain individuals for potential future actions and condemned efforts to suppress non-violent protests.
While the cases reviewed by Garza's office remain active, efforts are underway to determine the most appropriate course of action moving forward. The prosecutor's statements underscore the need for a balanced approach that respects both public safety and the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
