AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — Although the University of Texas at Austin’s commencement ceremony on Saturday was free of protests, a small group of anti-Israel demonstrators gathered at the Lyndon B. Johnson Lawn after the ceremony wrapped up.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were in attendance. KEYE's Monique Lopez said it was hard to tell how many there were, but she could “feel their presence.”

President Jay Hartzell released a video last week, pleading for a quiet and peaceful ceremony.

People continue to express themselves in many different, very personal, heartfelt ways," Hartzell said. "We support such expressions, and have supported them, each and every time, when the intent was to use our campus as a platform to lawfully protest and have their positions heard. Still, we have a duty to prepare and protect not only our ceremonies, but our graduates, their families and guests, as well as our greater Longhorn community."

Ahead of the commencement, students expressed that they were surprised by the lack of protests ahead of graduation.

“Despite the events we’ve had on campus recently, I think everyone, regardless of their political positions, is happy that we can attend a commencement ceremony,” UT graduate Julian Alin said. “Of course, people will probably exercise their right to free speech anyways, but we’re lucky that we can be in one place to celebrate the end of this big accomplishment.”

The rally wrapped up just after 10 p.m. local time with no apparent issues or police interference.

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