Police officers from the New York Police Department were called to clear out anti-Israel agitators and break up demonstrations at New York University and The New School. At NYU, officers arrested several protesters and called for cleaning crews to remove tents and clean up the area. At The New School, similar actions were taken, resulting in the arrest of 56 people with no incidents reported. The NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell confirmed that the actions were taken at the request of school presidents.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry spoke to reporters, expressing concern over the level of organization behind the anti-Israel movement at these schools. He mentioned finding leaflets with instructions on protesting, committing civil disobedience, and dealing with arrests. Daughtry emphasized that there is someone funding and radicalizing students involved in these protests. The police chief noted that the majority of those arrested were students and highlighted some of the inflammatory language found in the literature distributed among the protesters.
Responding officers at NYU offered protesters multiple options to leave peacefully before making arrests. Some protesters indicated that they wanted to be arrested, and their wishes were granted. The police chief clarified that the operation was not a raid but rather the removal of individuals trespassing on campus property at the request of the university presidents. He contrasted this with raids conducted at other universities, stressing that the actions taken were specific to addressing trespassing.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell highlighted the magnitude of anti-Israel protests and encampments at colleges and universities across the U.S. In recent weeks, over 2,000 protesters, including students, faculty, and outside agitators, have been arrested amid demonstrations. Chell emphasized that the police response was coordinated with school administrations to address the situation of protesters taking over buildings, chanting anti-Semitic slogans, and refusing to disperse when ordered.
Daughtry’s comments shed light on concerns about the funding and radicalization behind the anti-Israel movement at these universities. The discovery of leaflets with detailed instructions for protesters indicates a level of organization that is troubling to law enforcement officials. By arresting individuals who have trespassed on university property, the NYPD aims to maintain order and ensure compliance with the law, particularly in cases where protesters have refused to disperse peacefully.
The actions taken by the NYPD at NYU and The New School are part of a larger effort to address disturbances and protests related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses. By responding to requests from school presidents and coordinating with university administrations, law enforcement is working to uphold the rule of law while respecting the rights of individuals to peacefully protest. The arrests made in connection with anti-Israel demonstrations reflect a broader trend of activism and civil disobedience that has implications for campus security and public safety.
