Over two dozen protesters arrested at UNC’s Polk Place as police clear out encampment

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Several demonstrators, who have been protesting against Israel’s attacks on Gaza, were arrested at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill early Tuesday morning as police cleared out the encampment that was set up in Polk Place.

At 6 a.m., police began moving into the encampment, and altercations with protesters ensued, with some getting physical.

A CBS 17 crew on scene saw some pushed to the ground as they were handcuffed, with one even being carried out of the area by their arms and legs.

Over the weekend: Tents back up as UNC students continue 3rd day of protests against war in Gaza

According to student organizers, by 7 a.m. around 25 people had been arrested. In a statement from UNC Chapel Hill shortly before 8:40 a.m., the university said approximately 30 people who refused to leave the encampment site had been detained by UNC Police.

About 25 minutes before police arrived on scene, UNC Chapel Hill Interim Chancellor Lee H. Roberts and Provost J. Christopher Clemens released a statement, saying that though they “respect and support the rights of peaceful protesters,” they said student demonstrators and “outside activists” recently began to break the university’s policies for demonstrating and even trespassed “into campus buildings overnight.”

University officials said that productive dialogue between them and the demonstrators had ended, leading them to take action on what was the last day of spring classes for the 2024 spring semester.

“We must consider the safety of all our students, faculty and staff, as well as visitors to this campus,” the statement said in part. “By 6 a.m. today, the protesters assembled in Polk Place must remove all tents, tables, and other items and depart from the area. Failure to follow this order to disperse will result in consequences including possible arrest, suspension from campus and, ultimately, expulsion from the university, which may prevent students from graduating.”

In addition to police, deputies from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were also seen on campus in riot gear.

As of 7:15 a.m., police and campus facilities crews were cleaning up the area where the tents had been set up. UNC officials said Polk Place was cleared in approximately 45 minutes and crews cleared the area of debris afterward.

Protestors then moved toward South Building, where they gathered outside chanting and demanding to speak to administrators.

According to UNC officials, “the remaining protesters escalated their tactics, attempting to forcibly enter South Building by pushing officers and refusing to comply with requests from facilities and UNC police.”

Around 7:50 a.m., crews and police began putting barricades around the lawn outside the South Building.

Some of those who were detained were taken to Hillsborough. County officials said they went before the magistrate, but the magistrate decided not to book them into jail.

A small group of protesters rallied outside the Orange County Detention Center late Tuesday morning to show support for those who were detained, saying they would stay there until everyone was released from custody. They were outside the jail for around two hours.

Organizers told CBS 17 they’re prepared to continue demonstrating until university officials meet their demands.

“Liberation trumps any fear that we have for any of this,” one student organizer said. “I am not scared of the consequences that I will face for speaking up for what I know is right.”

Just after noon Tuesday, UNC officials released another statement.

“We were disappointed that we had to take action this morning regarding protesters, including many who are not members of the Carolina community, who violated state law and university polices that provide for peaceful demonstration,” the statement began.

Officials said the university had maintained “a healthy and constructive dialogue” with students and others who were demonstrating on campus, but that changed over the weekend.

“Previous protests this year have concluded peacefully and without arrests … At several points during this past weekend, we had constructive conversations with organizers that allowed for the group to continue their event and remain without our reasonable time, manner and place policies,” the university said. “That changed Sunday evening when protests backtracked on their commitment to comply with these policies. The leaders of this group ended our attempts at constructive dialogue.”

School officials went on to say that graduation would be held as normal.

“The Class of 2024 had both their senior year of high school and their first year at Carolina severely disrupted by the pandemic. We want to reassure the Class of 2024 that Commencement will be a joyous day for them and their loved ones and that the Carolina community near and far will celebrate their accomplishments,” the university said. “We are grateful to the vast law-abiding majority of our community as we conclude Carolina’s 229th academic year.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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