Police Clash With Palestine Protesters on Multiple Campuses
Law enforcement attempted to break up protests in Austin and Los Angeles, sometimes forcefully.
Last week, the NYPD arrived on Columbia University’s campus and arrested students involved in a pro-Palestine encampment. Earlier this week, police officers arrested demonstrators at Yale and the University of Minnesota. And on Wednesday, law enforcement broke up protests at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Southern California.
On Wednesday, hundreds of protesters gathered on UT Austin’s campus as part of a scheduled class walkout by the school’s chapter of the Palestine Solidarity Committee. The event called for participants to occupy the university’s South Lawn as they demanded the administration divest from companies linked to Israel. Ahead of the planned protest, school officials notified the event organizers that their event was not allowed and that participants might be subject to arrest and suspensions.
Roughly 50 state troopers in riot gear have arrived, seven of which are on horseback. pic.twitter.com/CnZxA0s1I2
— The Daily Texan (@thedailytexan) April 24, 2024
Footage from KXAN, a local NBC affiliate, shows Texas state troopers in riot gear arresting protesters after giving the crowd a warning to disperse. The Texas Tribune reports that at least ten people were arrested during the standoff.
Police attempt to push the crowd, arresting one.
— Ryan Chandler (@RyanChandlerTV) April 24, 2024
This is happening directly under the UT Tower. Went here for 4 years, never saw anything like this. pic.twitter.com/EaYBphtTzh
A similar scene unfolded at the University of Southern California, where more than a hundred protesters took part in a pro-Palestine encampment of the university’s Alumni Park. During the protest, organized by the school’s Divest From Death coalition, students frequently picked up and moved their tents so they wouldn’t run afoul of the school’s rule barring on-campus camping, per the Los Angeles Times. USC has recently been at the center of controversy after barring the 2024 class valedictorian from speaking following criticism of one of her social-media posts by pro-Israel groups. In footage from the Times, officers from the university’s department of public safety can be seen grappling with protesters and even pulling out batons.
DPS officers put their hands on a @USC student; take out batons pic.twitter.com/gPx8TwSqqj
— angie (@angorellanah) April 24, 2024
One person was detained by law enforcement, but was reportedly let go after students surrounded the car they were being transported in.
A protester is thrown to the ground and detained by several officers. pic.twitter.com/G1wlnhx2RH
— Jeremy Lindenfeld (@jeremotographs) April 24, 2024
The scene at #USC right now - students demanding one of the protesters detained by campus police be released @ABC7 pic.twitter.com/cvkghJGzef
— Josh Haskell (@abc7JoshHaskell) April 24, 2024
Also Wednesday, pro-Palestine students whose organization had been banned established a small encampment at Harvard, setting up a likely clash with administrators.
Incredible video from @HarvardPSC
— National Students for Justice in Palestine (@NationalSJP) April 24, 2024
Just yesterday, Harvard University placed the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) under suspension. Less than 24 hours later, students launched a Gaza solidarity encampment.
THE MORE THEY TRY TO SILENCE US THE LOUDER WE WILL BE pic.twitter.com/SnWTuiAan7