Best University Watchdogs: Austin Students for a Democratic Society and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas

So very proud of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) and Austin SDS for leading on the fight for academic freedom, opposing censorship, and defending the right to learn and the right to teach. It's wonderful that they were recognized by the Austin Chronicle, too.

Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D,


Best University Watchdogs

Austin Students for a Democratic Society and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas

It’s no secret that the University of Texas has continued to allow the polarizing ideology of the Republican Party to seep into the walls of the institution. But student organizers with the Austin chapter of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), who have a front row seat to the right-wing tilt, aren’t afraid to hold UT leadership accountable. In May, SEAT organized a string of mock funerals for UT, UNT, Texas Tech, and academic freedom on those campuses, complete with a horse-drawn carriage toting books and ashes. Austin SDS was quick to march against the consolidation of ethnic studies departments and under-the-table compacts with the Trump administration, and consistently defends the rights of student protesters. Both student orgs aren’t afraid to head to the Capitol with their demands, and demonstrate anew why free speech is essential on our university campuses.

instagram.com/austin.sds

studentsengaged.org

'Chilling Attempt to Evade Accountability': Trump to Boycott UN Human Rights Review--Time for Action!

Friends, Students, Community Members, and Colleagues:

The Trump administration has once again turned its back on global human rights accountability—this time by refusing to participate in the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the process where every country is asked to account for its human rights record. The U.S. has taken part in every review since 2010, but this year it walked away—at the very moment when international scrutiny is most urgent.

The ACLU blasted the boycott as “a chilling attempt to evade accountability,” warning it emboldens authoritarian regimes and weakens protections for basic freedoms at home and abroad. It’s not hard to see why Trump is ducking the process: the U.S. government is already facing mounting criticism for human rights violations committed by ICE—ripping families apart, caging children, and forcing undocumented immigrants into what can only be described as modern-day concentration camps.

By abandoning the UPR, the administration is shielding itself from global accountability while doubling down on its attacks on vulnerable communities. This is not leadership—it is complicity in cruelty.

We cannot stay silent. Communities, students, and allies must make clear that we reject bigotry, authoritarianism, and the dismantling of democratic institutions.

Join Austin SDS Rally—UT Students in Opposition to the Trump Administration’s Bigoted and Reactionary Agenda! Thursday, September 4th at 5PM.

-Angela Valenzuela

Reference

Corbett, J. (2025, Aug. 28). 'Chilling Attempt to Evade Accountability': Trump to Boycott UN Human Rights Review, Common Dreams. https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-un-human-rights-council

Join Austin SDS Rally—UT Students in Opposition to the Trump Administration’s Bigoted and Reactionary Agenda! Thursday, September 4th at 5PM

@austin.sds

Join Austin SDS and other UT students in opposition to the Trump administration’s bigoted and reactionary agenda!

Deportations have only increased since Trump was inaugurated last January, tearing apart families and forcing many undocumented immigrants into modern-day concentration camps. Meanwhile, Israel’s genocide against Palestine continues, with our government supplying Israel with money and arms, while also repressing activists for speaking out against the very same atrocities that our government is funding. Coupled with the many attacks against LGBTQ rights at the federal level, it’s necessary that we, the students, continue our historic fight toward progress and stand up against these injustices!

📆 Date: Thursday, September 4th
🕛 Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Main Mall (Outside the UT Tower)

Stop Trump’s Agenda!
No Deportations!
Protect Immigrant Students!