Dozens of protesters arrested at FIT

SUCCESSFUL MEASURES: After weeks of pro-Palestinian protests and an encampment, the Fashion Institute of Technology called the New York police on Tuesday afternoon and 46 protesters were arrested.

As of Wednesday afternoon, 41 of the protesters had been released and five had been charged with citations, according to an NYPD spokesman.

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the Goodman Lobby of the museum at FIT and then set up an encampment in the courtyard of the New York campus nearly two weeks ago. In a lengthy statement released on Wednesday, FIT President Dr. Joyce Brown said the encampment in the schoolyard violated FIT rules and regulations, city code and the FIT Student Code of Conduct.

Representatives for Students for Justice in Palestine could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

Brown claimed he met repeatedly with student protesters’ spokespeople and offered to continue discussions. She said regular activities at the college were impacted and canceled as a result. In addition, access to school facilities was restricted.

The police operation came a day before the FIT Foundation’s annual fundraising gala in New York City, honoring LoveShackFancy’s Norma Kamali, Kenneth Cole and Rebecca Hessel Cohen. Guests will need an official ID to enter the event for the first time.

After a missed deadline, which Brown reportedly extended twice, and a rejected offer to the protesters’ representatives, a social media post called for “reinforcements” for the 27th Street rally, according to Brown. According to her statement, the NYPD maintained crowd control and attempted to “ensure that the rally did not escalate further.” However, as expected, the insistence of some students to continue the occupation resulted in further action by the NYPD,” Brown said.

The FIT president said she was “deeply saddened” by this outcome and had tried “very hard” to give students and other members of the school community on both sides the opportunity to “peacefully protest and make their feelings known.”

She claimed that in the end “there was no room for dialogue or coexistence.” Brown’s statement ended with: “I write this message with the clear knowledge that there is no feeling – no words – that cannot offend anyone.” I write , without intending to convince anyone of my painful awareness of the fear and suffering experienced by so many on all sides of this issue.” She added: “I believe that as a community we are recovering and adhering to our values of politeness.”