Pro-Palestinian demonstrations and encampments on college campuses have been on the rise, leading to the arrest of nearly 200 protesters at Northeastern University, Arizona State University, and Indiana University. Since April 18, over 700 protesters have been arrested on various U.S. campuses. At Northeastern in Boston, a protest encampment on Centennial Common resulted in the arrest of 102 protesters by Massachusetts State Police. The university accused the protesters of using antisemitic slurs, which the protesters denied. Demands included the disclosure of the university’s investments and divestment from companies that support Israel’s actions in Gaza.
At Northeastern University, protesters blocking an alley where police vehicles were parked cheered as they saw one of the arrested protesters, wearing a Northeastern sweatshirt, wave through a window with zip-tied hands. A sophomore at Northeastern reiterated the protesters’ demands for divestment and criticized the administration for not listening. The majority of the encampment was cleared by 11 a.m. on Saturday, with a moving company brought in to gather tents and other items left behind. This mass arrest was the second incident in less than a week, following a crackdown at Emerson College, where 118 people were arrested.
Arizona State University also saw arrests as school police apprehended 69 people for setting up an unauthorized encampment in violation of university policy. The protesters were given multiple warnings to disperse, with the school prioritizing creating a safe and secure environment to support teaching and learning. Additionally, three people were also arrested at Arizona State University in connection with a protest the day before. At Indiana University Bloomington, 23 more protesters were arrested by campus and state police after setting up tents and canopies on campus with the stated intention of occupying the space indefinitely. This follows the arrest of 33 people earlier in the week at an encampment on the same campus.
The protests and demonstrations on college campuses have been a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, with students advocating for divestment from companies they see as complicit in Israel’s actions in Gaza. The arrests have sparked debate over freedom of speech and the right to protest on college campuses. The incidents have raised concerns about student safety and the administration’s response to protests on campus. As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how universities will address these issues moving forward. Further updates on the situation are expected as protests and demonstrations continue across college campuses in the United States.
