Police arrested dozens of protestors and cleared out an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at New York University on Monday night — the latest crackdown on students as tensions from the Israel-Hamas war simmer across U.S. campuses.
Students and faculty protesting the war in Gaza set up the encampment in an outdoor plaza on the campus on W. Fourth St. near Mercer St. early Monday morning.
NYU warned protestors that if they did not clear the plaza by 4 p.m., the university would invite the police onto campus.
“The one safety requirement we made was that no additional protestors could enter Gould Plaza,” said Fountain Walker, head of NYU Global Campus Safety. “With the breach of the barricades early this afternoon, that requirement was violated, and we witnessed disorderly, disruptive and antagonizing behavior that has interfered with the safety and security of our community.”
He also cited “intimidating chants and several antisemitic incidents,” though he did not go into detail.
Around 8:35 p.m., top NYPD officials including Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry and Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey arrived at the plaza outside the Stern building and called for officers from the department’s Strategic Response Group, who respond to large-scale events like parades and protests.
As the cops arrested dozens of protestors and dismantled the encampment, tensions escalated and other demonstrators threw objects at members of the specialized unit.
About 100 protestors linked arms around the tents, but police successfully cleared out the area, warning press they were subject to arrest if they didn’t leave, too.
As throngs of people spilled out onto the street and more arrests were made, some protestors worked to block officers from leading those in custody onto waiting buses used to transport the detainees.
Cops used pepper spray on the crowd before about 500 people marched toward NYPD headquarters on Park Row, but the crowd was blocked by officers near Chatham Square. Some demonstrators were seen lighting flares and waving Palestinian flags.
It wasn’t immediately clear how many arrests were made as police continued to monitor the protest.
“We mobilized in front of NYU just like we did Columbia and The New school to defend students and faculty under attack by an administration because they dare stand up against the genocide in Gaza,” said Nerdeen Kiswani, a leader with pro-Palestinian group Within Our Lifetime. “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”
With Cayla Bamberger
