University of Arizona officials were forced to use tear gas and other chemicals to quell an anti-Israel protest on campus, officials said.
Early Friday morning, University of Arizona Police Department declared an unlawful assembly at University Park and urged people to “leave immediately” or “avoid the area altogether.” The police department’s X account and website subsequently confirmed that “chemical weapons” had been deployed.
“Police order to disperse illegal assembly. Chemical weapons have been deployed. Please avoid the area and follow police instructions,” he tweeted.
The large-scale law enforcement operation comes days after police in riot gear surrounded an anti-Israel encampment and arrested several people at a Tucson university early Wednesday morning. At the time, President Robert Robbins directed school officials to “immediately implement campus use policies.”
Gu anarchists call for beheading of school administrator amid anti-Israel camp
Students gather for an anti-Israel demonstration at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona as the conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas continues. (Reuters/Lilliana Salgado)
On Friday morning, agitators caused a loud riot on campus, and police responded immediately.
Republican Sen. Justin Wadsack, who represents Arizona’s 17th Congressional District, called for “mass arrests” in response to the “disorderly” demonstrations.
When an X user challenged her about whether the protesters were “actually committing a crime,” she claimed that several people had assaulted police. He also said participants were “trespassing” and “conducting disorderly conduct.”
Arizona Sen. Justin Wadsack said the demonstrations were “not peaceful protests” and that the protesters were “trespassing” and “competing disorderly conduct.” (Reuters/Lilliana Salgado)
Republican representative calls on Biden to denounce progressive groups inciting anti-Israel protests and refuse to accept cash
“They are trespassing, stealing fences, disturbing the public order, assaulting police by throwing frozen water bottles at their heads, and charging people with Coca-Cola while setting off fireworks. This is not a peaceful protest if you’re spraying people with yeast mixture!” Wadsack tweeted.
At another Arizona campus, police cleared an encampment and arrested anti-Israel protesters earlier this week.
At another Arizona university, police cleared an encampment and arrested anti-Israel protesters earlier this week. (Epic/Getty Images)
Click here to get FOX’s new app
And on Tuesday night, about 20 people were arrested on trespassing charges at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Police removed a small chain-link fence and more than two dozen tents.
Anti-Israel demonstrations also took place at Arizona State University in Tempe last week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
