UT protesters gather outside Collin County Jail – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

On Thursday morning, a large crowd of Palestinian protesters filled the plaza in front of the Collin County Jail.

They gathered to show their support for the 21 people arrested on the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas on Wednesday night.

“Here, it really puts pressure on them to speed up the process,” said UT Dallas student Fatima Ahmed. “It also lets people know that they're not alone. That there are people there supporting them and waiting for them to come home.”

Those arrested refused to leave a pro-Palestine protest camp on the university campus. Police arrived, tore down tents and arrested people. Some were students.

“We didn't challenge anyone when we set up camp,” said UT Dallas student and arrested protester Mousa Najjar. “We didn't stop or impede traffic. We actually had a lot of support from the faculty and a lot of support from students and community members.”

The arraignment process lasted most of the day, with cheers every time another protester was released. The supporters were determined to stay until everyone was gone.

“Emotions are running high,” Ahmed said. “People are understandably getting tired, but they want to be here to support the people who have been arrested, as well as the people in Palestine, and to let them know that even though they are tired, they are not stopping, they are not resting, we will be here as long as it takes until all the people are released.”

All have been charged with a misdemeanor count of trespassing, a charge that makes no sense to those arrested.

“Especially as a student who was accused of trespassing on their own campus,” Najjar said.

Now that everyone has been released, the organization has not yet announced what their next move will be. However, they remain true to their mission.

“We demand that our university not only undo but reject the racist rhetoric that Governor Greg Abbott has spread against students and Palestine solidarity groups across the state of Texas.”