At Least 45 Yale University Students Arrested During Campus Protests Against War in Gaza

At least 45 people were arrested at Yale University on Monday morning during protests against the war in Gaza.

University President Peter Salovey said in an email sent to the Yale community that the Ivy League institution told protestors to leave the occupied space several times, but the latter allegedly refused to do so, Erudera.com reports.

As reported by Yale Daily News, the student newspaper, these arrests came after nearly 200 pro-Palestine protesters gathered on campus, calling on Yale to divest from military weapons manufacturers. The same reported that more than 12 police officers had blocked Beinecke Plaza, school's main lawn.

“Approximately 45 people refused to leave and were charged by Yale officers with Criminal Trespass in the 1st Degree, a misdemeanor. They were transported to a Yale Police facility where they were processed and released,” New Haven police said in a statement, according to BBC News.

Protesters established an encampment at Beinecke Plaza on campus on Friday night. The group known as Occupy Beinecke insists on transparency regarding the university’s investments in military weapons manufacturers and calls on them to take steps to divest from them.

“Yale, you have intimidated us, criminalized us, militarized our campus and failed to accept our demands. We will not stop, we will not rest until we have disclosure and divestment,” the group wrote on Instagram.

Footage shared on the X platform showed protestors linking arms around a flag pole while police were present on campus. Witnesses at the scene said that protestors were heard saying, “We shall not be moved,” and “We will free Palestine within our lifetime.”

There has been a surge in protests across US campuses since October 7, 2024, triggered by Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Last week, police arrested more than 100 students protesting at Columbia University against Israel’s war in Gaza. These developments, which raised concerns about Jewish students’ safety, led to Columbia University announcing a switch to online classes this Monday.

In a statement released on April 22, Columbia President Minouche Shafik said that while these classes are held online, the university faculty and a working group of deans and administrators will work towards a solution.

She said tension on campus has been exploited by individuals not part of Columbia, adding that any language intended to frighten people is unacceptable and action will be taken. Shafik called on affected individuals to report their cases through university channels.