In a weekend marked by pro-Palestine demonstrations across US campuses, dozens of arrests have taken place as students continue to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
At least 25 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at the University of Virginia (UVA). The campus had seen largely peaceful protests until Saturday morning when police officers in riot gear moved in to clear an encampment on the campus lawn. Some demonstrators were handcuffed with zip ties, and chemical spray was reportedly used.
UVA officials cited violations of university policies, including the setup of tents on Friday night and the use of amplified sound. It remains unclear how many of those arrested were UVA students1.
Outside the Art Institute of Chicago, dozens of people were arrested for “criminal trespass” during a pro-Palestine demonstration. The institute had called in the police to remove protesters who were allegedly occupying its property illegally.
Pro-Palestinian protesters briefly disrupted a commencement ceremony at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Similar student “encampments” have sprung up at other top US universities, including Columbia, Yale, New York University, Berkeley, and MIT.
Students across the US are demanding action to stop the ongoing conflict in Gaza and urging their schools to divest from companies supporting Israel’s government. The protests continue to draw attention to the months-long war and put pressure on political leaders to take meaningful steps toward peace.