Protestors removed from University of New Mexico campus
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Police removed protestors from the duck pond on the University of New Mexico campus Wednesday morning. The protest was held in response to the U.S. government’s involvement in Israel’s war in Gaza.
Conflict on the UNM campus as the latest on-campus protests over Israel’s war in Gaza leads to more arrests with police removing another encampment. A small group of people were arrested this morning. Some students and faculty we heard from today, believe police are taking the wrong approach toward what they consider a peaceful group.
“To remove the encampment in a way that was so violent and unnecessary really says a lot about the university’s priorities and is disappointing and sad, it’s tragic really what happened this morning,” says a student protester who wanted to remain anonymous.
“It’s not that we don’t welcome protests and dialogue. It is the violations of policy that led to this unsafe structure being built,” says Cinnamon Blair, UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.
The encampment was ousted around six this morning when UNM and State Police moved in on the site to the north side of the duck pond. That encampment started around April 23rd and police say it was even fortified with walls.
UNM says the protestors were told to leave the property last night, then once again this morning at 5 am, about an hour before the police moved in to remove the group. UNM says seven people were arrested including two university students.
“They were being respectful too of the graduation ceremonies and wanting to not interrupt those because it’s important for families and students, a very important day. So, what I saw was that, peaceful protesting,” says Julian Antonio Carrillo, full-time staff in the Anthropology Department.
“People still have the right to protest, 100%, you know, within…within our policies, so, that’s not changing,” says Blair.
This confrontation comes nearly two weeks after a protest erupted inside of the Student Union Building. During that confrontation, police arrested 16 people. Of those, UNM administration said only five were students, while the others were not affiliated with UNM.
The seven people arrested this morning are facing criminal trespassing and wrongful use of public property charges. The university says it will continue to cite people who set up encampments.
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