Texas DPS defends arrest of TV photojournalist during Wednesday protests at UT

AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- The Texas Department of Public Safety is defending its arrest of an Austin television photojournalist during protests at the University of Texas on Wednesday.

Multiple videos on social media showed the Fox 7 cameraman, who identified himself as Carlos, being caught up in the crowd of protestors as law enforcement worked to move a containment line.

DPS, in a statement Friday morning, says the videos show Carlos "hitting a DPS Trooper in front of him with his camera before fellow Troopers pull him back and take him to the ground to arrest him."

"As a law enforcement agency, upholding the laws and freedoms of the people of this state is our number one priority," the DPS statement reads. "The department believes strongly in a journalist's right to cover events of the day in a safe way; however, that does not except a person from following the law or the rules that have been put in place for the safety of others. While the department understands the need to be on-site, it is never acceptable to interfere with official police duties and assaulting an officer of the law - no matter the degree - will never be tolerated."

According to Fox 7, Carlos was released from the Travis County Jail on Thursday morning with the criminal trespass charge against him being dismissed.

Travis County Attorney Delia Garza's office said criminal trespass charges against all 57 individuals that were arrested during Wednesday's protests were declined, after consultation with defense attorneys and court officials.

"This case has now been turned over to DPS' Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation," the DPS statement continues. "No additional information will be released at this time."

Carlos' arrest has drawn national attention to the protests at UT and the response by DPS, including the Society of Professional Journalists, which issued a statement Thursday condemning the arrest and calling on DPS to drop all charges immediately.