Demonstrations in support of Palestine have been ongoing at colleges across the United States, leading to nearly 200 protesters being arrested at Northeastern University, Arizona State University, and Indiana University. Since April 18, over 700 protesters have been arrested at U.S. campuses as authorities try to address the growing unrest. At Northeastern in Boston, protesters had set up an encampment that drew more than 100 supporters. Massachusetts State Police arrived at the encampment early Saturday morning to arrest protesters and dismantle the tents. A university spokeswoman claimed the demonstration had been infiltrated by professional organizers and accused protesters of making antisemitic comments, while protesters denied these claims.
At Northeastern University, protesters demanded that the university disclose its investments and divest from companies they believe support Israel’s actions in Gaza. After being removed from the encampment by police, protesters blocked a nearby alley where police vehicles were parked, showing solidarity with those who were arrested. The majority of the encampment was cleared by 11 a.m., with a moving company brought in to remove tents and other items. This was the second early-morning crackdown on protesters at a Boston campus, following an incident at Emerson College where 118 people were arrested.
At Arizona State University, 69 people were arrested after setting up an unauthorized encampment early Saturday morning in violation of university policy. Officials stated that while the university supports freedom of speech, creating a safe and secure environment for teaching and learning is their first priority. Three additional people were also arrested in relation to a protest at the school the day before. At Indiana University Bloomington, 23 protesters were arrested by campus and state police after erecting numerous tents with the intention to occupy university space indefinitely. This follows the arrest of 33 people earlier in the week at an encampment on the campus.
The situation at universities across the U.S. reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, with protests and arrests taking place as students and activists push for universities to divest from companies supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza. As demonstrators continue to express their support for Palestine, universities are faced with balancing the right to protest with maintaining a safe and secure campus environment. The arrests at Northeastern University, Arizona State University, and Indiana University highlight the challenges universities are facing in handling large-scale protests and encampments on campus. As the demonstrations and arrests continue, tensions remain high in college communities grappling with how to address the complex issues surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
