Between 40 and 45 protesters were arrested and charged with trespassing.
Pro-Palestinian protests have led to crackdowns at one of the United States’ most prominent universities on the morning of April 22. Students were arrested at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, after large protests, according to the university and police.
A statement from the university noted that nearly 50 students were issued summonses after they were asked by Yale’s police department to show identification and “did not comply after multiple requests.”
As of 10 a.m., the Yale Police Department had issued the summonses to 47 students, according to the statement, referring them for Yale disciplinary action such as reprimand, probation, or suspension.
“The university made the decision to arrest those individuals who would not leave the plaza with the safety and security of the entire Yale community in mind and to allow access to university facilities by all members of our community,” the university stated. “Yale provides detailed guidance on free expression, peaceable assembly, and requesting the use of on-campus outdoor spaces. Since the protest started, the university and the Yale Police Department worked to reduce the likelihood of confrontations and arrests.”
A statement provided to The Epoch Times by the New Haven Police Department said their officers responded to protests at about 6:30 a.m. on April 22 and commanded protesters to leave the property or be subject to arrest.
“Approximately 45 people refused to leave and were charged by Yale officers with Criminal Trespass in the 1st Degree, a misdemeanor,” the statement stated. “They were transported to a Yale Police facility where they were processed and released.”
The statement also noted that a group of about 200 protesters returned and blocked an intersection on campus at about 8 a.m. and that the protest was still ongoing.
“The New Haven Police Department has no current plans to make any arrests of non-violent protesters,” the police department added.
By Chase Smith