NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University’s campus was the scene of intense police activity on Wednesday as SWAT officers arrived with guns drawn. The officers were responding to an encampment of individuals protesting in support of Palestine, which prompted multiple law enforcement agencies to take action around 4 a.m.
NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick was present at the scene as authorities worked to clear the encampment. Since the start of the protest on Monday, several demonstrators had already been taken into custody. On Wednesday, 14 individuals were arrested after allegedly leaving private property and entering the neutral ground on St. Charles Avenue, with two of them identified as Tulane students.
Allegations of police misconduct arose from some protestors claiming they were mistreated by law enforcement. Kirkpatrick stated that an investigation was underway, emphasizing the presence of cameras in the area to capture the events that transpired on campus. She also mentioned that NOPD officers were equipped with body cameras for transparency.
Following the incident, barricades were erected along St. Charles Avenue on the campus. Tulane University issued a statement addressing the situation, expressing concerns about protestors trespassing on campus and creating an unauthorized encampment. The university highlighted that the majority of the demonstrators were not affiliated with the school.
As per reports, at least 14 protestors, including two Tulane students, were arrested. This followed the arrest of six individuals, including a student, on Monday for various offenses such as trespassing, resisting arrest, and assaulting an officer. Steps were taken to address the involvement of university employees in the protest, with disciplinary actions being considered.
The university emphasized the importance of free speech while condemning trespassing, hate speech, antisemitism, and discrimination against religious or ethnic groups. Security measures were heightened on campus to ensure the safety of the university community. Despite the removal of protestors, police presence remained robust across the campus for the remainder of the semester.
Tulane University extended appreciation to the law enforcement agencies involved in peacefully resolving the demonstration. While the incident disrupted the last day of classes for most students, preparations continued for finals and commencement activities. Support services were made available for any community members affected by the events, with contact information provided for assistance. The situation was highlighted as a developing story, with ongoing updates expected throughout the day.