STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Police arrested 13 people at Stanford University after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the offices of the school’s president and provost early Wednesday.
The takeover began at dawn on the last day of spring classes at the university in California’s Silicon Valley, and ended three hours later. Some protesters barricaded themselves inside the building, while others linked arms outside. Stanford Daily reported. The group chanted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine”.
Demonstrators cheered in support of the detainees as they were led out of the building and loaded into law enforcement vehicles.
The Student newspaper It said one of its reporters was among those arrested.
AP reporter Ed Donahue reported more arrests at the compound of Palestinian supporters.
Protest camps have sprung up on university campuses across the US and Europe as students demand their universities. Stop doing business with organizations that support Israel or its war effort.
Organizers are trying to increase calls to the end Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which they describe as genocide against the Palestinians. The The United Nations High Court has decided There is a “credible risk of genocide” in Gaza – something Israel vehemently denies.
Stanford students who participated in Wednesday’s protest will be suspended immediately, and no seniors will be allowed to graduate, University President Richard Saller and Provost Jenny Martinez said in a joint statement.
They said the university on Wednesday also removed a pro-Palestinian student encampment set up on campus on April 25, citing public safety concerns and a violation of school policies.
“The situation at the campus has now crossed the line from peaceful protest to actions that threaten the safety of our community,” they said, adding that demonstrators had recently tried to occupy another building.
A law enforcement officer was lightly injured after being pushed by protesters who intercepted a transit vehicle, university spokesman Dee Mostoby wrote in an email to The Associated Press. Other campus activities were not affected, he said.
In addition to the damage to the interior, the president and official said there was extensive graffiti on the main quad’s sandstone buildings and columns. A video posted on social media shows police breaking down a door. Other photos showed a red liquid splattered on an office desk.
An AP journalist at the campus found political slogans calling for the destruction of the United States and Israel, as well as the killing of policemen, painted on the walls.
“This graffiti expresses vile and hateful sentiments, which we strongly condemn,” the president and professor said, adding that it was unclear who graffitied the university.
Sara LeBaron, a Stanford physics student, said she didn’t think Wednesday’s demonstration and graffiti was a good way to fight the war or in Gaza. Question university grants.
“I think the goal is for Stanford to disengage from Israel. That’s their goal, but I don’t see how these actions lead to that goal,” LeBaron said.
Columbia UniversityThe campus was rocked by protests earlier this spring. A settlement was reached with a Jewish student tuesday
Since April 18 AP has reported at least 86 incidents where arrests have been made during campus protests. Across America More than 3,130 people have been arrested on the campuses of 65 colleges and universities. The figures are based on the AP report and reports from universities and law enforcement agencies.
Israel faces development International Review For the planned destruction strategy in Gaza A huge cost in public life. Israeli bombings and ground attacks in the besieged territory have killed more than 36,000 Palestinians. According to Gaza’s Ministry of HealthIt does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
___
Rodriguez reported from San Francisco. AP reporters John Antsak in Los Angeles and Christopher L. in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Keller contributed to this report.
