Far-left Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein was recently arrested during an anti-Israel protest at Washington University in St. Louis. She was among more than 80 people who were arrested after refusing to leave the campus. Footage posted showed Stein being escorted away by police. Stein’s Campaign Manager and Deputy Campaign Manager were also arrested during the protest, where they were standing in solidarity with students to demand an end to the war in Gaza and cut all ties with Boeing Co.
Stein’s arrest came one day after she was confronted by Jewish protesters outside of Columbia University, who criticized her as being in the minority representing the 1% of Jews in opposition to Israel’s war against Hamas. Stein, a physician and Harvard graduate, has sought the Green Party’s presidential nomination in both 2012 and 2016. She announced her 2024 bid in November, stating that ending the genocide in Gaza is one of her top priorities.
Some posts claimed that Stein was trying to de-escalate the situation with police before arrests were made. The protests were calling for peace, human rights, and an end to a genocide that American people oppose. The university administration mentioned that the motives of the group were not in good intention and could potentially get out of control and become dangerous. Charges of trespassing, resisting arrest, and assault were mentioned, with some facing additional charges.
Stein mentioned standing with students at WashU to support their constitutional rights in calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza. The university administration expressed their commitment to free expression while expecting everyone to respect their policies, taking swift action to enforce them. The protests at Washington University were part of a larger movement demanding an end to the war in Gaza and asking for the university to sever ties with Boeing Co.
The situation at Washington University involved police using force against protesters, including Stein, as they demonstrated against the war in Gaza. The university mentioned that charges would be pressed against those arrested for trespassing, resisting arrest, and assault. Stein’s arrest was part of her activism and political career, which has been focused on advocating for green policies and addressing issues such as the conflict in Gaza. Stein’s past presidential bids reflect her commitment to progressive causes.
