UIUC pro-Palestine encampment timeline in photos
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A nationwide pro-Palestinian protest movement against universities and their connections to Israel reached Champaign-Urbana on Friday. Described as an “encampment,” protestors demanded that the University of Illinois cease investing in Israel.
The protest started in the morning at Alma Mater near Wright and Green Streets, around 5 a.m. University officials told demonstrators to remove their encampment structures that were against university policy.
Around 8:30, one person had been arrested after university officials say they interfered with attempts to remove the structures.
Below is a photo timeline with some of yesterday’s key events:
Photos from 9:30 a.m.
A larger crowd begins to assemble as some protestors set up an encampment. A sign below reads “3000 killed, 2 mil starving, stop $$$ war.”
Pro-Palestine protestors disperse, prepare to meet again tomorrow
3 p.m.
After initially being broken up, protestors returned around 3 p.m. in far greater numbers, setting up more tents and continuing to chant. The growing crowd drew a larger police presence from assisting agencies including the Illinois State Police.
Approaching 4 p.m.
Tensions began to rise as protestors linked arms and law enforcement attempted to enter the encampment circle.
Photos below courtesy of Lindsey
The demonstrators pushed the officers back, causing them to retreat.
Photos below courtesy of Lindsey
6:21 p.m.
After the officers retreated, they reconvened away from the protestors.
Police vehicles and ambulance were lined up on standby along Green Street.
The doors to the Illini Union were locked and everyone inside was asked to leave the building. Signs were posted outside of the entrances.
6:41 p.m.
Police were seen carrying riot helmets.
7:08 p.m.
Police began to set up flood lights above the demonstration site.
11 p.m.
Despite steady rain, the demonstrators stayed until around 11 p.m., eventually dispersing for the night with a plan to reconvene at a different campus location the next day.
University officials sent out a Massmail saying that they had reached a “peaceful resolution” with the demonstrators to relocate.
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