Protests Erupt At UT-Austin Over Brett Kavanaugh Nomination

AUSTIN, TX —Brett Kavanaugh's controversial Supreme Court nomination inspired a protest at UT-Austin Tuesday. The university's Young Conservatives of Texas (YCT) chapter took to the West Mall in support of Kavanaugh, the Daily Texan reported. Within minutes, a crowd of more than 50 students and protesters appeared.

On Thursday, Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford, a Northern California research psychologist, testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Ford claims that Kavanaugh tried to rape her in the 1980s when both were high school students. She is one of three women who have come forward with claims of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh.

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"I don't have all the answers, and I don't remember as much as I would like to," Ford wrote in her prepared testimony. "But the details about that night that bring me here today are ones I will never forget."

Kavanaugh has denied the allegations made by Ford and the other two women, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick.

In one video posted on Instagram Tuesday by barstoollonghorn, a protester can be seen grabbing signs from YCT and ripping them up. The video has since been viewed nearly 20,000 as of Wednesday morning.

"As the nation watches the Supreme Court confirmation process, many of our students are sharing their strong views about the ongoing events. We encourage a robust debate on campus in which everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions. We want to remind students to be respectful, even of those whose views they disagree with," J.B. Bird, UT-Austin spokesman, told Patch Tuesday. "The Dean of Students will follow up with some of the students involved in today’s protests."

The FBI is currently investigating the claims made against Kavanaugh.

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Photo By Tom Williams-Pool/Getty Images