Texas Lawmakers Demand Cancellation of Hasan Piker UT Austin Event

Texas lawmakers from across the political spectrum are demanding the cancellation of a September 30 event featuring Twitch streamer Hasan Piker at the University of Texas at Austin. The event, organized by the University Democrats student group, is intended to cover topics including immigration, genocide, and the Democratic Party.

Senator Ted Cruz, Governor Greg Abbott, and Representative Henry Cuellar condemned the appearance, citing Piker's past comments regarding 9/11, Hamas, and Jewish Americans. Cruz characterized Piker as an "America-hating Marxist," while Cuellar argued that Piker's history of comments could make Jewish students feel targeted or unsafe on campus. Abbott's office stated that terrorist sympathizers have no place in the state.

Piker responded to the pressure by asserting that efforts to cancel the event at a public university constitute a direct violation of the First Amendment. Simultaneously, the University Democrats accused the university of violating its own internal policies by failing to provide a venue large enough to accommodate the expected attendance.