Chicago police clears anti-war, Pro-Palestine encampment
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.
Hundreds of Chicago police officers dressed in riot gear began to dismantle the encampments Thursday morning around 5:30 a.m.
With little warning, a heavy police presence appeared on the university’s Main Quad and began putting up barricades at the entrances, anti-war signs were torn down, tents were cleared and demonstrators ran.
In a press conference held at 7:30 a.m., CPD Chief of Patrol John Hien said that everyone inside the encampment voluntarily left and that there was no confrontation or resistance.
Hien also 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.
While the encampment is gone, the protests continue across the street from Depaul’s Main Quad.
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 Robert Manuel 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 bombardment of Gaza and around 1.5 million people have been forcibly displaced during Israel’s offensive.
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