San Antonio Students March for Right to Protest War in Gaza

In a display of unity and advocacy for freedom of speech, students in San Antonio took to the streets to oppose a legislation that impinges on their rights to protest the ongoing war in Gaza.

Support for Palestinians and Freedom of Speech

A coalition of student groups from six campuses in San Antonio and San Marcos submitted letters to their respective college presidents on Wednesday, urging them to oppose Governor Greg Abbott’s recent executive order which conflates support for Palestinians with antisemitism. This order potentially threatens the freedom of speech on campuses, undermining the academic dialogue critical to higher education.

Pleas to Stand Against Antisemitism Executive Order

The students from San Antonio College (SAC) voiced concerns that the governor’s order (Executive Order 44) could potentially lead to the punishment of pro-Palestinian student groups for “antisemitic speech and acts”. In their letter, the students called for SAC to assemble a litigation team ready to defend student speech if necessary.

Disagreements on Terminology

“That’s just an infringement of our free speech,” said Chiya Orosco, a SAC student. “And we have a right to be able to protest against a genocide that is going on in Palestine.” The labeling of the war in Gaza as a ‘genocide’ has been a point of contention, with Israel and the United States strongly refuting this characterization.

Support Across Campuses

Letters were submitted not only by SAC, but also by students of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Trinity University, Texas A&M San Antonio (TAMUSA), Texas State University, and UT Health San Antonio. These protesters have set themselves apart from nationwide campus protests with their peaceful yet robust approach, free from significant counter-protests.

Reacting to Executive Order 44

While Governor Abbott has ordered public colleges in Texas to revise their free speech policies to combat antisemitism, his directive has been criticized for focussing primarily on pro-Palestinian student groups, leading to questions on its objectivity. The Alamo Colleges District, in their statement, reiterated their dedication to providing an inclusive, safe, and respectful campus environment where diverse opinions can thrive within legal and procedural boundaries.

Unwavering Student Protest

Despite the mounting legal and political pressure, student protests continue to gain ground across San Antonio, manifesting in marches, demonstrations, and open letters. These actions reflect the students’ commitment to their beliefs and their determination to advocate for free speech. The outcome of these protests and the responses from academic institutes and the government are to be seen and will play a defining role in shaping the future of free speech on Texas campuses.