An advocacy group questions UTSA over accusations of violating free expression rights.

Citing comments made by students to the San Antonio Report and other media, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expressions (FIRE) wrote UTSA President Taylor Eighmy two letters on April 29 and May 14 respectively, requesting an investigation and a public declaration.

"The university's direction raises serious First Amendment concerns if the students' report is substantially accurate," stated in the letter Haley Gluhanich, college rights advocacy program officer for FIRE. "Student expression at public universities is protected by the First Amendment, 'no matter how offensive' it may be to others."

At a rally on April 24, student organizers claim they were forbidden from using the labels "Israel" and "zionist," which prompted them to repeatedly halt the march to make sure participants complied.

Student organizers produced a video from April 24 showing Dean of Students LaTonya "LT" Robinson cautioning students not to use the phrase "from the river to the sea" prior to their march when pressed to substantiate the speech restrictions.

The term, which alludes to the region between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, has gained popularity as a contentious cry that some interpret as a plea for the liberation and peace of the Palestinian people and others as an antisemitic incitement to destroy Israel.