A California university called in police to restore order after anti-Israel agitators broke into, entered and then occupied two academic buildings following days of violence on campus. .
California State Polytechnic State University, or simply Cal Poly Humboldt, denounces the “lawlessness” and calls for law enforcement to take action as agitators occupied Siemens Hall and Nelson Hall East I asked.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, law enforcement officers conducted an operation tasked with clearing and securing two buildings and the surrounding area, making 35 arrests. The university said the arrest was uneventful and there were no reports of injuries.
“Law enforcement actions at the University of California, Humboldt were essential to restoring order on campus,” Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said in a statement. “When someone commits a crime and violates the rights of others, law enforcement must intervene. I am grateful to the agencies and employees who have helped restore safety to our campuses. “We understand the widespread frustration caused by crime,” the campus closures, intimidation, and unlawful activity we have witnessed over the past week. It sent a clear message that the movement was not a peaceful protest, but an outright criminal act, and would not be tolerated. . ”
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Anti-Israel demonstrators at the University of Southern California Alumni Park on April 24, 2024 in Los Angeles. (Reuters/Zaidi Sanchez)
The university said in a statement that the purpose of the operation was to “establish control of the grounds, protect the rights, safety and health of students and staff, eliminate threats of violence or criminal activity, and restore control of buildings and other property.” “to establish it,” he said. ”
Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson Jr. described Tuesday as a “difficult day” and said he was “heartbroken to see” the dozens of arrests.
“Today is a difficult day and it is heartbreaking to see this. Truly, no one wanted to see things turn out this way. We are all watching this with great concern and praying for peace. It is always my sincere hope that this matter will be resolved,” Jackson said in a statement Tuesday. “Unfortunately, serious criminal activity that far exceeded the level of protest activity placed the campus at continued risk.”
The university’s president also praised law enforcement officers and faculty.
“I commend the efforts of the law enforcement team in resolving this extremely dangerous situation and am extremely grateful to the many agencies that advised us and came to our aid in our time of need. “We are also very grateful for the support we have received. Many of our staff have gone above and beyond their normal duties to protect our campus and keep it running.” Stated. “Our focus has always been on doing everything we can to keep everyone involved safe, and we have been very patient and very disciplined in doing so. We have responded accordingly.”
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Cal Poly Humboldt said Tuesday that the school’s building reclamation was carried out by Unified Command, a law enforcement complex with personnel from across California under the direction of Sheriff Honsal and University Police Chief Peter Kress. Announced.
Anger erupts during an anti-Israel protest on the campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, when a demonstrator shoves a police officer. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Kress also said in a statement that he is grateful to the various law enforcement agencies involved in securing the campus.
“University Police Department is deeply grateful to the local and statewide agencies that assisted our campus during this event. “UPD remains committed to a learning environment where everyone feels safe and able to listen without breaking the law,” Kress said.
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According to the university, the arrested activists face a variety of charges including unlawful assembly, vandalism, conspiracy and assault on a police officer, and the accused university employees “may face disciplinary action.” said.
The university plans to close its campus until May 10th.
Anti-Israel students had occupied two academic buildings on the UC Humboldt campus: Siemens Hall and Nelson Hall East. (California State University/Facebook)
Law enforcement officers will continue to closely monitor the campus until this point.
On Tuesday, the White House condemned violent protests at Columbia University in New York after demonstrators occupied the university’s buildings.
“The president believes that forcibly occupying buildings on campus is absolutely the wrong approach,” said John Kirby, the national security communications adviser. “This is not an example of peaceful protest, and of course hate speech and hate symbols have no place in this country either.”
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He added: “Some students should not have their studies interrupted. The rest of the students, the ones who are paying to go to school and want to receive an education, should not have a rightful choice.” Learning should be uninterrupted,” he added. And they should be able to do that, and they should be able to do so safely, and they certainly have the right to graduate and participate in graduation ceremonies, so these protesters are forcing buildings on campus. It is rare to see it occupied. As I reiterated earlier, this is not inconsistent with the idea of peaceful protest. ”
FOX News’ Michael Lundin contributed to this report.
