About 100 people were detained from a pro-Palestinian protest at Northeastern University’s Boston campus on Saturday morning, according to university officials. The university police, with the help of local law enforcement, began clearing an “unauthorized encampment” on the campus early in the morning. The protest, organized by the student organization Huskies for a Free Palestine, was infiltrated by professional organizers with no affiliation to the university, according to Northeastern’s statement. The university condemned the use of anti-Semitic slurs, including “Kill the Jews,” which prompted the police to take action.
Videos circulating online show a moment where a counterprotester holding an Israeli flag made an anti-Semitic statement, which was met with boos from other protesters. The university has stated that students who produced valid Northeastern IDs were released and will face disciplinary proceedings, while those who refused to disclose their affiliation were arrested. The leading student organization behind the protest, HFP, called the administration’s statement “false narratives” and accused them of using the anti-Semitic phrase as justification to arrest over 100 people.
Police officers in riot gear were seen in videos on campus, prompting protesters to chant, “Why are you in riot gear? I don’t see no riot here.” The protesters demanded freedom for Palestine and criticized the university for not taking action to address the humanitarian crisis caused by the genocide against Palestinians. HFP is demanding that Northeastern disclose its financial investments, divest from Israeli companies, and denounce Israel’s actions in Palestine. Similar protests have taken place at other universities in the U.S. and Canada, with students calling for divestment from companies profiting from the war and transparency from university administrations.
Northeastern University has stated that the use of anti-Semitic language has no place on any campus, regardless of the context. They also emphasized that students arrested will face disciplinary proceedings within the university, not legal action. HFP maintains that the majority of the arrests were of non-violent students and is determined to continue their movement despite attempts at intimidation. The student group believes that Northeastern’s refusal to address the crisis in Palestine and cut ties with weapon manufacturers doing business with the Israeli military is unacceptable.
The protests at Northeastern University and other campuses are part of a larger movement calling for Palestinian human rights. The demands include divestment from companies profiting from the war and transparency from university administrations about their financial investments. Similar protests and arrests have occurred at universities in North America, with students advocating for an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The protests highlight the ongoing support for the Palestinian cause among students, despite attempts to suppress their voices.
