A Southern Illinois University professor, Steve Tamari, was allegedly beaten and injured by police at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Washington University in St. Louis. Video footage shows police restraining Tamari, slamming him to the ground, and dragging him to a police van. The professor’s wife, Sandra Tamari, shared a video of the incident on social media, claiming that her husband was “brutally beaten” by police. The St. Louis Police Department did not comment on the video, and the Washington University Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.
Washington University Chancellor Andrew D. Martin stated that 100 protesters, including 23 students and at least four faculty members, were arrested and are facing criminal charges for trespassing, resisting arrest, and assault. The university claims that the protesters were violating the college’s policies, behaving aggressively, and repeating chants that some found threatening and antisemitic. Martin emphasized that the university will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt the educational and research mission on campus. Sandra Tamari disputed the characterization of the demonstration, stating that protesters did not instigate violence or property damage and that there was a “festival atmosphere” before arrests were made.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri criticized the university’s response to the protest and the arrests, alleging that the university set up a confrontation between police officers and student activists. The ACLU stated that the escalating tactics of law enforcement led to the physical breakup of the protest and the arrests of over 100 participants, limiting freedom of expression despite the university’s commitment to that principle. The protest at Washington University was part of a series of demonstrations on college campuses across the country in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, following an attack by Hamas militants that resulted in numerous casualties and hostages.
The student protesters are advocating for a cease-fire and demanding that their colleges divest from companies linked to Israel, denounce the attack on Gaza as genocide, and support Palestinian liberation. Penelope, a member of Jewish Students for Palestine, expressed support for the demands of Washington University students, emphasizing the need to prioritize both Palestinian liberation and Jewish safety. The demonstrations have sparked emotional debates over the conflict in the Middle East, with protesters and activists calling for justice and peace amid escalating violence in the region. The events at Washington University highlight the complex and contentious nature of discussions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses.
