Arrests Surge Amid Ongoing Pro-Palestine Demonstrations on US Campuses
The University of Virginia in Charlottesville saw at least 25 protesters taken into custody for alledged trespassing after law enforcement intervened to break up a pro-Palestine encampment on the university grounds.
The university stated, “A pro-Palestinian protest on (university) Grounds came to an end Saturday after University, local and state police cleared the area following multiple and repeated violations of several University policies, including the use of tents and amplified sound. Subsequent violent conduct along with failure to follow law-enforcement directions led to the declaration of an unlawful assembly.”
The university further noted that, “Before Saturday’s standoff with law enforcement, which resulted in 25 arrests as of Saturday evening, the demonstration that began on Tuesday had been peaceful and complied with University policies.”
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In a separate incident, the Art Institute of Chicago reported as many as 50 arrests.
The school stated, “Today, a group of individuals, including some SAIC (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) students, began a protest in the museum’s North Garden, and as it progressed, protesters surrounded and shoved a security officer and stole their keys to the museum, blocked emergency exits, and barricaded gates. The protest also began to escalate on Michigan Avenue outside of the museum.”
The university said it had proposed an alternate location on campus for the demonstrators to continue their protest, but this was declined.
“During multiple rounds of negotiations, SAIC student protesters were promised amnesty from academic sanction and trespassing charges if they agreed to relocate. The School also agreed to meet with a student group to discuss their demands. After approximately five hours, an agreement could not be reached.”
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These arrests and crackdowns occur in the context of a surge of student protests at US universities in support of Palestine. On Thursday, AP reported that more than 2,200 people were arrested in the campus protests.
These demonstrations started last month, more than six months into the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip that has resulted in over 34,000 deaths, and a blockade that has plunged the besieged region into famine-like conditions.
Protesters are urging the universities to divest from Israel by cutting deals with companies that support the war on Gaza.
Source: Agencies
