AUSTIN, Texas — A lecturer has been fired from his position at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) over an arrest stemming from his alleged actions during a pro-Palestinian protest in April.
Richard Heyman has been charged with interfering with public duties after allegedly grabbing a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper's bike. According to Heyman's lawyer, he had worked at the university for 18 years.
According to DPS, after troopers issued a dispersal order, Heyman attempted to breach a bike barrier and damaged a bike when troopers attempted to block him.
KVUE reached out to the UT. A spokesperson said the university couldn't comment on personnel matters.
More coverage of the UT pro-Palestinian protests:
- San Marcos man handed felony charge for having gun while protesting at UT Austin
- Pro-Palestine groups and members of Austin's Jewish community hold dueling rallies at the same time
- More than 600 University of Texas faculty members sign letter expressing 'no confidence' in president Jay Hartzell
- What rules did protesters break? Here's what UT Austin had to say
- No, governors cannot expel college students from state universities
- 'It becomes very divisive' | Senior at UT Austin reflects on protests ahead of graduation