The University of Virginia said at least 25 anti-Israel protesters were arrested at the university on Saturday as authorities tried to clear the camp.
Earlier in the day, University of Virginia Police Chief Tim Longo gave a group of anti-Israel protesters near Charlottesville’s University Chapel 10 minutes after the University Police Department (UPD) declared it an “unlawful assembly.” Leave the area.
The school said in a news release that at 8:15 a.m., officers attempted to collect the tents but were met with “incitement and chanting” by protesters.
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Twenty-five people were arrested Saturday at an anti-Israel encampment on the University of Virginia campus, officials said. (Fox News)
“Authorities were once again met with violence including rioting, chanting, and brandishing of objects,” the school said. “Beginning around 2:30 p.m., UPD issued three verbal warnings to the crowd that a rally would be declared if demonstrators refused to leave the area. illegal.”
Virginia State Police responded to the campus to assist local authorities. The scene was declared “stable” around 4 p.m.
University of Virginia President Jim Ryan said in a message to students, faculty and staff on Saturday that for several days, protesters have repeatedly refused to abide by university policies regarding protests.
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An anti-Israel protester was taken away by authorities at the University of Virginia on Saturday. (Fox News)
“Unfortunately, today a small group of people chose to voluntarily violate the rules after being given multiple opportunities to comply, and then they refused to voluntarily leave the scene,” Ryan said. “I sincerely hope that is not the case, but this repeated “The willful refusal to abide by reasonable rules designed to ensure the safety, operations, and rights of the entire university community leaves us with no choice but to insist on neutral application and enforcement of these rules.”
At least 25 people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing and taken to the Albemarle County Regional Jail. University officials are still waiting to confirm how many of those arrested have ties to the school.
A group called UVA Gaza Camp posted video clips of clashes between protesters and police online, accusing Ryan of inciting chaos.
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“The University of Virginia deployed military police and VA troopers in riot gear to use pepper spray and tear gas on students, faculty, staff and community members protesting the genocide,” the post read. “UVA, you will be remembered for this .JIM RYAN Shame on the UPD, the Klan, the IOF.”
