Police clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Virginia, resulting in the arrest of 25 individuals for trespassing. The confrontation occurred after demonstrators refused to remove tents from campus. This incident is part of a series of clashes at colleges and universities across the United States in recent weeks.
The protest began peacefully earlier in the week, with students gathering outside the school chapel to advocate for Palestinian rights. However, tensions escalated on Saturday when police, equipped with heavy gear and shields, moved in to disperse the protesters.
Videos showed students being pushed to the ground, pulled by their arms, and sprayed with a chemical irritant. Laura Goldblatt, an assistant professor at the university, expressed concern for the safety of the students involved in the protest.
The university administration stated that the demonstrators were informed that the erected tents and canopies violated school policy and were asked to remove them. Virginia State Police were called in to assist with enforcement.
This clash is part of a broader trend of protests on college campuses related to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Tent encampments calling for divestment from Israel or companies supporting the war in Gaza have emerged nationwide, resulting in numerous arrests and disruptions.
While some schools have reached agreements with protesters to end demonstrations, tensions remain high at campuses across the country.