Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Police arrested more than 100 people after clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment at Northeastern University Saturday morning.
Protestors formed the encampment on Northeastern's Centennial Common on Thursday, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and divesting from companies with ties to Israel.
University, state, and local police were on scene at around 5:30 a.m. Saturday as students linked arms around the encampment. Arrests began at around 7:00 a.m.
According to Northeastern University officials, police were called in because of antisemitic slogans.
"What began as a student demonstration two days ago, was infiltrated by professional organizers with no affiliation to Northeastern," the university said in a statement. "Last night, the use of virulent antisemetic slurs, including 'Kill the Jews,' crossed the line. We cannot tolerate this kind of hate on our campus."
Speaking to WBZ NewsRadio, student Sarah Barber said the people chanting the antisemitic rhetoric were counter-protestors.
"There were pro-Israeli protestors that came with Israel flags and they were shouting and they were saying things such as 'Kill the Jews, don’t you agree?' while the encampment protestors were chanting ‘Do not engage’ and they weren’t responding," Barber said.
1 of 3 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
2 of 3 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
3 of 3 Photo: Suzanne Sausville/WBZ NewsRadio
Northeastern said approximately 100 people were detained by police. Those who produced a valid student ID were released and will face disciplinary action from the school, but not legal action. Anyone who refused to disclose their affiliation was arrested.
"Approximately 102 protesters who refused to comply with orders to disperse were arrested and will be charged by NUPD with trespassing and disorderly conduct," Massachusetts State Police said in a release. "They are being transported to the Suffolk County House of Correction to be booked and processed."
Shortly after 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Northeastern issued another statement, saying the quad in Centennial Common was "fully secured" and all campus operations have "returned to normal."
Similar demonstrations have happened at Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Tufts University. An encampment at Emerson College was cleared up by police early Thursday morning, leading to over 100 arrests.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok