Police broke up a pro-Palestinian protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond on Monday night.
Video shows protesters setting up roadblocks and violent clashes with police.
Several arrests were made within minutes. watch:
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Protesters sing “Free Palestine” and “Ceasefire Now”
The protest outside the James Cabell Library at Virginia Commonwealth University began early Monday, April 29, and there have been many similar protests across the country.
Campus protesters carried signs demanding “Free Palestine” and “immediate ceasefire” among other slogans.
According to Norfolk News 8, their “members of the field team witnessed Virginia Commonwealth University police officers in riot gear pulling a cordon from a bus parked near the protest camp around 8:30 p.m. Soon after, Virginia Commonwealth University issued an alert, calling the protest “violent” and declaring the gathering unlawful. Police then moved on the protesters, some of whom were seen wearing gas masks.
Their reporters and local staff said they saw hundreds of police move in and use force to dismantle barricades. Among them were representatives from the Virginia State Police.
Many videos captured the chaos, with police seen pushing protesters to the ground and tying their hands with zip ties.
Video shows protesters also throwing water bottles and other missiles at police.
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Enforce Richmond City Code
According to our team members, some protesters were seen throwing water bottles at police. Protesters set up tents and established what they called “liberated zones” in the early evening.
Protesters put on masks and formed a long line around the camp before police arrived. They can be seen using color palettes to create roadblocks.
VCU is a public school, which means its property is public. Richmond’s city code states that people may not “camp, lie or sleep after 11 p.m. on, near or about any public land or structure belonging to or subject to city control” without a special permit.
On Monday, Richmond law enforcement appeared intent on enforcing the ordinance.
Virginia Governor Glenn Younkin also weighed in on the protests across the commonwealth, saying, “Across the commonwealth, we are seeing students and significant non-student participants throwing projectiles at law enforcement, violating the laws of our colleges and universities. University policies that impede and disrupt student life and endanger public safety.
In the early hours of the morning, Youngkin also made his final ruling: “After repeated warnings and refusals to disband, law enforcement must protect Virginians. My administration will continue to fully support campus, local and state law enforcement, and university leadership.” , to ensure the safety of our campus.
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