Hundreds detained as police continue to break up pro-Palestinian protests at Northeastern

BOSTON — Protests over the war in the Middle East are continuing in schools across the country.

More than 100 people were arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest on the Northeastern University campus early Saturday morning. Massachusetts State Police, Boston Police, and campus police surrounded the encampment before moving in and zip-tying protestors’ hands behind their backs.

With arms locked and chanting one by one State Police detained the mix of students and outsiders who stood around tents and chairs chanting their demands of the school

“We want them to denounce what is happening in Israel and Gaza, we want them to divest all of their funds we want them to divest our money that we are paying for tuition from their endowment, and we want them to disclose everything they’re funding,” said Alina Caudle, Sophomore.

The University says the students here on the quad are breaking their code of conduct.

The encampment at Northeastern is on Centennial Common and was created last week by a group calling on the university to divest from Israeli companies and denounce the ongoing war in Gaza.

Students forced to stay away from the encampment by a metal barricade shouted “tell me your name” as the detainees were escorted into a campus building. On the other side, more students chanted at law enforcement officials as the protestors were loaded into sheriff SUV’s.

The University issued a statement on Saturday morning:

“Earlier this morning the Northeastern University Police Department (NUPD) — in cooperation with local law enforcement partners — began clearing an unauthorized encampment on the university’s Boston campus. What began as a student demonstration two days ago, was infiltrated by professional organizers with no affiliation to Northeastern. Last night, the use of virulent antisemitic slurs, including “Kill the Jews,” crossed the line. We cannot tolerate this kind of hate on our campus.”

Some student protestors said the majority of the people involved were students and they don’t think they should have been removed.

“They acted in a way as if this was not a completely civil and peaceful protest and were detaining students as if they were creating a riot and in riot gear as if we were in a riot during a civil protest in camps and tents sitting peacefully for days,” said Jermaiah Sawageb, Graduate Student.

“The State Police are committed to protecting the lawful exercise of people’s rights of assembly and free speech in a safe and secure manner, as well as to protecting safety and property all involved parties,” State police said in a statement.

Northeastern said students who showed a valid ID were released and will be disciplined by the university, those who refused to disclose their affiliation were arrested.

State Police said around 102 people were detained for refusing to disperse and will be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct by NUPD.

“By 11:30 am, the quad in Centennial Common was fully secured and all campus operations have returned to normal, Northeaster said. “We want to thank NUPD, our Student Life staff, and the university’s external partners for their flawless execution this morning.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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