13 arrested, officer injured after protesters barricade Stanford president’s office – NBC Bay Area

At least 13 people were arrested and a public safety officer was injured after a group of Stanford University students and alumni barricaded themselves in the university president’s office early Wednesday morning, according to university and police officials.

The group protested the institute’s response to demands from pro-Palestinian protesters related to the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas, organizers said.

The university said the injured officer was pushed by protesters blocking a transport vehicle. The officer’s condition was not released. The building sustained heavy damage inside and out, officials said.

“We are appalled that our students have chosen to take this action and will work with law enforcement to ensure they face the full consequences permitted by law,” the university said in a statement. “All students arrested will be immediately suspended and if any of them are in their final year of study, they will not be allowed to graduate.”

According to the group Stanford for Palestine, the students and alumni locked themselves in the office of Stanford President Richard Saller at around 5:30 a.m.

The protesters said they would not leave Saller’s office until the Stanford administration and board of trustees take action to clarify “their role in enabling and profiting from the ongoing genocide in Gaza.”

Stanford for Palestine said the university refused to negotiate with the pro-Palestinian advocates on Gaza issues. The protesters accused Stanford University of “holding millions of dollars in investments in companies that provide material and logistical support to Israel’s current military in the armed Gaza conflict.”

“Stanford students have repeatedly attempted to engage with the administration through protests. Since October 2023, over 20 rallies have taken place bringing together undergraduate and graduate students, alumni and faculty to demand that Stanford uphold its commitment to human rights. Each time, the administration has refused,” the group said in a statement. “The university is profiting from the genocide of the Palestinians at this moment and we will not be silenced.”

Stanford’s full statement Wednesday morning in response to the protest:

“This morning, a group of individuals illegally entered Building 10, which houses the offices of the President and Provost. Police arrested 13 people and the building was evacuated. A public safety officer was injured after being shoved by protesters who were obstructing a transportation vehicle. Significant damage was done inside Building 10 and to the exterior facades of the buildings in the courtyard.

“We are appalled that our students have chosen to take this action and will work with law enforcement to ensure they face the full consequences allowed by law. All students arrested will be immediately suspended and if any of them are seniors, they will not be allowed to graduate.

“We have consistently stressed the importance of constructive engagement and peaceful protest when there is a difference of opinion. This was not a peaceful protest and actions like those that took place this morning have no place at Stanford. We ask anyone with information about this action to contact the Stanford Department of Public Safety at 650-329-2413.”