Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – Police made a series of arrests at the University of Pennsylvania and MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after dismantling pro-Palestinian protest encampments. The crackdown came following a similar incident at the University of Arizona, where police tear-gassed demonstrators and removed their camp.
At the University of Pennsylvania, campus police, alongside Philadelphia law enforcement, took action to disband an encampment that had been in place for over two weeks. Initially, 33 individuals, including faculty members and seven students, were arrested and charged with trespassing. However, school officials later clarified that nine of those arrested were students, with the rest having no affiliation with the university. Police recovered chains that could be used as weapons during a search of the encampment.
Protest camps have emerged across the U.S. and Europe as students demand universities to cease doing business with Israel or any companies supporting its military efforts. Organizers aim to amplify calls to end Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which they describe as a genocide against Palestinians. Despite the United Nations court stating a “plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza, Israel vehemently denies the accusations.
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, police donning riot gear arrived at MIT in the early hours of the morning, giving protesters a short window to vacate the makeshift camp. Ten students were subsequently arrested, with pro-Palestinian chants outside the camp quickly shut down by authorities.
The University of Arizona also witnessed a police action as tear gas was used to disperse protesters prior to the main commencement ceremony. Two individuals were arrested following the removal of an encampment that involved confrontations with law enforcement.
Protests have not been limited to these three universities, with New Mexico State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Pomona College among those experiencing demonstrations linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The ongoing movement has sparked arrests on campuses nationwide, with nearly 2,900 individuals detained across 57 universities since mid-April.
At Arizona State University, the campus police chief was placed on administrative leave following complaints about his actions during a pro-Palestine rally. The unrest has extended beyond physical encampments, with demonstrators at George Washington University vowing to persist in their protest efforts despite recent crackdowns.