A University of Texas-Austin lecturer named Richard Heyman was arrested for his alleged involvement in an anti-Israel protest on the campus. Heyman, who had been employed by the university for nearly 18 years, was also fired from his position as a lecturer. He was charged with interfering with public duties during the pro-Palestinian protest that took place on May 2. Heyman’s attorney, Gerry Morris, claimed that the university should have conducted an investigation into the incident before taking any action against his client, but did not provide any further details.
According to the affidavit from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Heyman was accused of yelling expletives at police officers during the protest. The affidavit also claimed that Heyman tried to cross a barrier made of bicycles set up by troopers, put his fingers in a trooper’s face, and acted as if he was going to swing a water bottle at the law enforcement official. Heyman was also accused of grabbing one of the bicycles and trying to pull it away from the fence, breaking the bell on the bike in the process. Morris, however, accused the police of initiating physical contact with Heyman.
Heyman’s attorney stated that his client was pushed by the police and stumbled backwards during the incident. Morris claimed that Heyman only grabbed onto the handlebars of the bicycle as he fell. Heyman was not arrested until days later, and Morris believed that political pressure played a role in the decision to arrest him. Morris stated that if the incident had not occurred in a politically charged environment, the case may not have moved forward. Heyman was charged with interfering with public duties, a misdemeanor in the state of Texas, and appeared in court where his bond was set at $1,000. He posted bond and was released pending his next court appearance on May 29.
The University of Texas did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the situation. Heyman’s case has attracted attention due to the political implications surrounding the incident. Morris expressed concern that political pressure may have influenced the decision to arrest Heyman and suggested that the case should be judged based on facts alone. The incident has sparked debate over the university’s decision to fire Heyman and the circumstances surrounding his arrest. Heyman faces criminal charges in connection to his actions during the anti-Israel protest on campus, and his case is set to continue in the legal system in the days ahead.
