Students at Texas State University in San Marcos, led by the Young Democratic Socialists of America, staged a pro-Palestinian protest. They called on the university to become a “sanctuary campus” by severing ties with ICE, announcing alerts when agents are nearby, divesting from Israel, and offering protection to undocumented students.
Protesters carried signs declaring, “The U.S. is Isrel’s B**h,” “Zionism Has Got to Go,” and “Half of Gaza is Children.” They accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, blocked campus walkways, and confronted passersby with aggressive questioning such as, “What would you do if somebody blew up your house?”.
Texas law prohibits public universities from adopting sanctuary policies under Senate Bill 4 (2017). Critics argue the student demands would violate state law and compromise campus safety. In response, Texas State released a statement emphasizing its commitment to free speech and First Amendment rights, while affirming compliance with all state and federal legal obligations.
This protest forms part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations across the U.S. and internationally, which surged after the October 7, 2023 conflict. Student groups have increasingly pressed universities to divest from Israel, and some have been met with disciplinary measures or arrests.
High-profile instances include the April 24 encampment at UT Austin, where over 50 arrests occurred before most charges were later dismissed. The Texas State protest adds to this nationwide trend of student activism influencing campus governance and sparking debate over free speech, academic autonomy, and external political pressures.
