CHICAGO — Chicago police cleared out the anti-war, pro-Palestine encampments at DePaul University early Thursday morning on what would have been the 17th day of protesting Israel’s assault on Gaza.
In a press conference held at 7:30 a.m., Chicago police said two anti-war protesters in their mid-20s were arrested for blocking traffic. There is no word on whether they are students or not.
Hundreds of Chicago police officers dressed in riot gear began to dismantle the encampments Thursday morning around 5:30 a.m.
Demonstrators who were removed from the encampments gathered to continue their protest west of Fullerton and Seminary Avenue where the encampments were placed.
According to a press release from SJP (Students for Justice in Palestine) DePaul, several protesters were injured, and one woman’s hijab was pulled off of her.
Henna Ayesh, a Palestinian student and member of SJP said in a statement:
“As a university supposedly guided by Vincentian values of social justice, it is shameful that DePaul chose violence rather than allowing students the right to protest our tuition money funding a genocide that is directly killing and displacing our families. Now, DePaul’s reputation will forever be equated with genocide and police brutality.”
DePaul University president released a statement saying they will fight to protect students’ right to speech but chose to take down the encampments due to extensive complaints.
“I am deeply saddened to say the encampment has crossed the line,” the statement said on the website.
The president claims there have been more than 1,000 complaints of discrimination, harassment and violence that the university received over the past 16 days. The University also cancelled one end of the school year activity due to the protests.
Demonstrators supporting the encampments at DePaul University and many other schools across America say they want their universities to disclose investments and divest from Israel, who they say is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
Over 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s ruthless bombardment of Gaza and around 1.5 million have been forced to flee their homes during Israel’s offensive.
