NEW YORK: More than 130 people were arrested overnight during pro-Palestinian protests at the New York University campus as student demonstrations intensified in the United States over the Israel’s ongoing relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza.
The New York Police Department confirmed the arrests, stating that those detained were subsequently released after receiving court summonses. Similar protests have been observed at other prestigious institutions such as Yale and Columbia University, signaling a surge in student activism on the issue.
The arrests at NYU occurred as police intervened during Passover celebrations on Monday night, with demonstrators gathered at an encampment on campus. According to a spokesman for NYU, the decision to involve law enforcement was prompted by the breach of barriers surrounding the encampment by additional protesters, some of whom were not affiliated with the university. The situation rapidly escalated due to what was described as “disorderly, disruptive, and antagonizing behavior,” including incidents of antisemitism.
In response to the breach and safety concerns, the university requested assistance from the NYPD, resulting in several arrests. However, NYU emphasized its commitment to freedom of expression while prioritizing the safety of its students.
The protests initially commenced at Columbia University last week, where demonstrators established a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on campus grounds. The situation escalated when over 100 protesters were arrested after police were called onto Columbia’s campus by university authorities. This action seemed to spur further protests, leading to a larger turnout over the weekend.
Social media posts on Monday evening depicted pro-Palestinian Jewish students participating in traditional seder meals within the protest areas on various campuses, including Columbia University.
The demonstrations extended to other universities such as MIT, the University of Michigan, and Yale, where an additional 47 persons were arrested on Monday for refusing requests to disperse.
