San Jacinto Street in downtown Houston is closed Wednesday, with authorities saying protesters are blocking the Harris County Joint Processing Center.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Law enforcement officers shut down a half-mile stretch of a downtown Houston street Wednesday afternoon as authorities said a protest unfolded outside the county’s Joint Processing Center by Harris.

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, San Jacinto Street from Commerce to Wood has been closed until further notice.

The HCSO published on social networks a photo of a large crowd of demonstrators in front of the JPC, which the county touts as a state-of-the-art facility to efficiently process inmate admissions and releases.

Although HCSO did not mention the reasons for the protest, photos a viewer sent to ABC13 showed Palestinian flags among the crowd.

Deputies urged people to avoid the area, but noted there was no danger to the public.

Links with the UH demonstration

Although law enforcement did not say where the jail protesters were coming from, Eyewitness News was made aware of a related protest that was broken up earlier today on the University of Houston campus .

An organizer told ABC13 that two of the dozens of protesters camped out at UH were arrested by university police.

The organizer added that they intended to go to the prison to demand the release of the inmates.

UH officials confirmed they evicted approximately 60 people from Butler Plaza who were violating state laws prohibiting tents and encampments on campus.

The university added that the group was allowed to continue its protest, in accordance with UH policies.

“We support the constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly and continue to encourage groups to engage in expressive activities safely, while respecting university policies and the laws of the State, and with respect for the rights of others with divergent opinions,” a statement said.

UH is hosting spring commencement on campus this week.

SEE MORE: 2 students arrested during apparent pro-Palestinian encampment at UH

ABC13 is gathering information from authorities about the event happening downtown. Watch Eyewitness News broadcasts this afternoon for updates.