NEW YORK — Chaos erupted outside New York University on Monday as the NYPD moved in to break up a pro-Palestinian protest, resulting in several arrests and a tense standoff between demonstrators and police.
The protest, which started peacefully earlier in the day, quickly escalated when police dismantled the encampment in Gould Plaza near the Stern School of Business just after 8:15 p.m. At least two dozen protesters were taken into custody as tensions flared and objects were thrown in the direction of officers.
“We stand with Palestine and we stand with the liberation of all people,” one protester declared amidst the chaos.
Following the police intervention, many protesters relocated to West 3rd Street in Greenwich Village, while others marched peacefully in Lower Manhattan. Earlier in the day, students and faculty members had gathered on the school’s steps in solidarity with pro-Palestinian organizations, setting up tents in the plaza.
However, NYU officials cited a breach in barriers and disruptive behavior as reasons for the police intervention. “We witnessed disorderly, disruptive and antagonizing behavior that has interfered with the safety and security of our community,” said the head of security.
The protesters had been ordered to clear the plaza area by 4 p.m. Monday, but their demands for acknowledgment of the ongoing crisis in Palestine remained unmet.
“We want to see an acknowledgment from our university that there is a genocide happening and that there are Palestinian students that deserve to feel heard, deserve to feel safe in their environment,” one protester expressed.
Despite the tensions, there were moments of constructive dialogue between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian individuals, highlighting the complexity of the situation. NYU emphasized their commitment to supporting freedom of expression while maintaining a safe learning environment for all students.
As the dust settles on the chaotic protest, the city grapples with the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, with both sides standing firm in their beliefs and demands.