This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a feature highlighting a statement from the news that exemplifies just how extremely normal everything has become.

“Some colleges are banning free speech on college campuses. Well, no more. Because I’m about to sign a law that protects free speech on college campuses in Texas. Shouldn’t have to do it. First Amendment guarantees it.”—Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in a 2019 video and tweet

On Wednesday, the University of Texas at Austin added its name to the top of a lengthy and ignominious list when university president Jay Hartzell called in a mounted, multi-agency show of force to crack down on a student and faculty–led protest on campus. The programming of the protest day included guest speakers, study breaks, and an art workshop. Right around the time of the scheduled (and very menacing-sounding!) 6 p.m. pizza break, Hartzell unleashed not just the Austin Police Department but also Texas state troopers on his own students—one-upping Columbia University president Nemat Shafik in a standard-setting display of excessive retaliation against student demonstrations in a week chock full of it.

The raid at UT resulted in 57 arrests, including of a photojournalist for the local Fox affiliate who spent the night in jail.

The aggressive retribution of university administrations—unleashing police forces on their students, faculty, and department chairs gathering peacefully—has made for a low moment in the history of American education. And while Texas’ sweep was no more petty, tyrannical, dubious, or unnecessary than ones at Emory, Columbia, or USC, it takes the cake because of how annoying Texas politicians have been over the past few years, bleating about a commitment to free speech that they disposed of........

© Slate