A pro-Palestine protest led to arrests at the Tempe campus of Arizona State University on Friday.
Protesters who set up an encampment were taken into custody by police. There were some pro-Israel counter-protesters as well.
“Israel is a terrorist state,” protesters were shouting at one point, according to a video from ABC15.
The outlet reported that the list of the protester’s demands ranged from cutting any ties between Israel and the university to wanting President Michael Crow to step down.
In a statement, the university explained that encampments not cleared could result in further arrests.
“Arizona State University Police arrested individuals for setting up an unauthorized encampment, in violation of university policy and the ABOR Student Code of Conduct,” ASU said in a statement on Friday. “Encampments and unlawful assembly are prohibited on Arizona State University property unless they are part of a university-sanctioned activity. Individuals found setting up unapproved encampments will be directed to dismantle them immediately and failure to comply may result in arrest. ASU is committed to maintaining a secure environment for everyone.”
The attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7 sparked an all-out war between the two, which has even resulted in attempted military action from Iran against Israel. However, many have been critical of how the Israeli government has responded, ranging from saying the response in Gaza has been disproportionate to the attack to even accusing the Israelis of “genocide.”
The Center Square asked Gov. Katie Hobbs their thoughts on the protests. The office elaborated on her stance when it comes to the reported demands.
“Governor Hobbs supports the right to free speech and peaceful protest. However, she strongly opposes any calls to boycott and divest from Israel, attacks on Israel’s right to exist, demands to abolish the police, or rhetoric that supports or encourages violence. College campuses should remain safe for every student,” Hobbs’ spokesman, Christian Slater, told The Center Square in a message.
“The Governor has been in contact with university presidents and expressed the State’s willingness to support them in ensuring a safe and secure campus environment,” he continued.
Campuses around the country, including Columbia University in New York and the University of Southern California are facing encampment-style protests. In Tucson, a large protest took place on Thursday, according to the Arizona Daily Star.
I see their sign saying free palestinean political prisoners. However in that photo or any other photo of these bigoted vermin, I don’t see any signs demanding hamas release the hostages they still have. The leftists are guilty of projection. That’s accusing the other side of what you are doing. The left says the right wants to silence and kill those who oppose it. But it’s the leftists who want to cancel people they don’t like. It’s the leftists who commit acts of violence against people who oppose them.
Here’s how to stop these protests where people set up tents on campus, block access to buildings, occupy buildings or parts of buildings: Protesters who are not students should be arrested and punished severely according to the law. Students of the school where the protest is or any other school should be expelled immediately and evicted from on campus housing as soon as the law allows. They should be permanently banned from enrolling in any college or university that gets taxpayer funding.
This will continue to get worse as long as ASU allows the ASU Palestinian Students Organization (HAMAS@ASU) and the Young Democratic Socialists (ANTIFA) to run the university agenda, cancel faculty, programs they disagree with under the color of warped DEI managers. One Palestinian in Gaza boldly said on the news, “HAMAS is the UN here in Gaza and the the UN is HAMAS.” ASU DEI officials are HAMAS and ANTIFA at ASU and the executives don’t have the power or courage to stop them. This movement has been underway for several years.
If you say you’re Hamas you’re arrested. You can either 1. Sit in jail awaiting trial for aiding and abetting a terrorist organization similar to those who were arrested for January 6, or 2. Be flown immediately to the Gaza Strip.
Wow! A reasonably rational policy position from the Hobbit.
Ignorant kids + pathological liberals gets you this.
Useful idiots.
The thing that irritates me the most is, I am being forced to pay for these idiots to go to school and protest! Thanks to Biden. Around the country they are identifying themselves as HAMAS. That being said, they should then be treated as a terrorist organization. Swift and decisive action should be used against them. Besides just giving them some jail time. If they are here on a visa, send them back. If they are attending a state university suspend them indefinitely from any state sponsored school. If they are using government subsidized funding to attend school pull it indefinitely. If they are in college, they aren’t kids their adults and they should learn harsh consequences for their outright stupidity.
Absolutely correct!
This movement has been underway for several years and will continue to get worse as long as ASU allows the ASU Palestinian Students Organization (HAMAS@ASU) and the Young Democratic Socialists (ANTIFA) to run the university agenda, cancel faculty, cancel programs under the direction of warped DEI managers. One Palestinian in Gaza boldly said on the news, “HAMAS is the UN and the the UN is HAMAS.” At ASU DEI officials are HAMAS and ANTIFA and ASU executives don’t have the power or courage to stop them.