At least 25 anti-Israel demonstrators were arrested on the University of Virginia campus on Saturday as authorities tried to clear the encampment, the school said.
The University Police Department (UPD) declared an “unlawful assembly” earlier in the day, and UVA Police Chief Tim Longo ordered a group of anti-Israel demonstrators near University Chapel in Charlottesville to leave the area. I gave them 10 minutes to leave.
At 8:15 a.m., staff attempted to retrieve the tent but were met with “agitation and chants” from protesters, according to a news release from the school.
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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 violent behavior, including agitation, shouting, and brandishing of objects,” the school said in a statement. “Starting around 2:30 p.m., UPD verbally warned the crowd three times that if the protesters refused to leave the area, it would be declared an unlawful assembly.”
Virginia State Police responded to the campus to assist local authorities.The scene was declared “stable” around 4 p.m.
UVA President Jim Ryan said in a message to students and staff Saturday that protesters have repeatedly refused to abide by the university’s policies regarding protests over several days.
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Anti-Israel demonstrators were taken away by authorities at the University of Virginia on Saturday. (Fox News)
“Unfortunately, today a small group of people, despite being given multiple opportunities to comply with the rules, chose to willingly break the rules and then voluntarily refused to leave the site. ” said Ryan. “While we sincerely wish otherwise, our repeated and willful refusal to abide by reasonable regulations designed to ensure the safety, operation, and rights of the entire university community has left us with no obligation to comply with these regulations. “We had no choice but to support neutral application and enforcement” of the rule. ”
At least 25 people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing and taken to Albemarle County Regional Jail. University authorities are awaiting confirmation on how many of those arrested are university personnel.
A group called UVA Encampment for Gaza posted video footage of clashes between protesters and police online, accusing Ryan of inciting the chaos.
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“UVA deployed riot gear and Virginia State Police to deploy pepper spray and tear gas against students, faculty, staff, and community members protesting the genocide,” the post reads. “UVA, you’ll be remembered for this. Shame on Jim Ryan. UPD, KKK, IOF, they’re all the same.”
