Updated: Many were arrested at UMass as police dismantled the second pro-Palestinian camp

Editor’s note: We will update this story and add links to additional reports as new information becomes available.

Dozens of protesters, faculty supporters and passersby were arrested on the UMass campus last night (8/5) after a pro-Palestinian encampment was re-established on the campus’ south lawn this afternoon. An earlier camp was dismantled on April 30th. Since April 29, students have continued to protest on the South Lawn. UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes said students were still allowed to protest between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. as long as they did not erect any structures. Protest leaders said they rebuilt the camp in response to Israel’s recent incursion into Rafah and in response to UMass’s refusal to meet their demands for equity stakes in companies that support Israel’s war in Gaza.

Reports of the number of those arrested varied Massachusetts Daily Collegian (MDC) reports that over 64 people were arrested, Western film Dimensions News Over 100 people were reportedly arrested Amherst student According to reports, 130 people were arrested and WBUR and the Daily Hampshire Gazette reports more than 130 arrests. MDC The arrests were reportedly part of a massive police operation involving UMass police, state troopers (including the State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT)), Amherst town police, and members of the Hampshire Country Sheriff’s Department. Witnesses also reported that Hadley police were present. Amherst City Manager Paul Bockelman reported in an email to the Amherst City Council that Amherst police were only playing a “backup role.” M.DC reports that at one point there were 117 police vehicles parked near the Whitmore Administration Building.

Those arrested were initially processed by the UMass Police Department and later, due to a large number of arrests, were transported by PVTA bus to the Mullins Center for processing. Among those arrested were members of the Amherst Ceasefire Organization4, the sponsors of the successful Ceasefire Resolution passed by the Amherst City Council on March 4, 2024, and three UMass faculty members.

Some of those arrested reported being treated roughly by the arresting officers, thrown to the ground, kicked and beaten with batons. Arrested students reported harsh treatment, including being zipped so tightly that it caused bleeding and shoulder injuries, and being denied access to restrooms for up to 10 hours.

Multiple news outlets report that police initially arrested students at the camp but later began rounding up passers-by and witnesses, declaring their presence an illegal gathering. Bockelman reported that there were “no injuries on either side.” MDC reported that an ambulance was called for at least one injured protester.

Earlier in the day, students met with chancellor staff to arrange a meeting with Reyes. UMass spokesman Ed Blaguszewski announced earlier in the afternoon that the chancellor had agreed to a meeting with a small number of protest organizers. Students reported that Reyes met with them for about half an hour at 4 p.m., but while they were meeting, police mobilized outside the Whitemore Administration Building. The students accuse Reyes of telling students that he could not meet any of their demands and of ordering police to disperse the protesters immediately after his meeting with the students. Students have been trying for months to arrange a meeting with the chancellor to discuss their demands to disclose UMass investments in Israel and withdraw from the war, but have been rebuffed. Blaguszewski issued the following statement later that afternoon.

“UMass Amherst is deeply committed to protecting the free and open exchange of ideas guaranteed by the First Amendment and the university’s core values. Earlier today, a group of protesters set up an unauthorized encampment – including wooden barricades – on the Student Union’s South Lawn in violation of university policy. The demonstration response and security team advised those in attendance that while they could stay and continue to demonstrate, which was their right, unauthorized structures must be removed.”

Late in the afternoon, students in the camp were warned that they would be arrested if they did not comply with orders to disperse the camp. The arrests began around 7:40 p.m. and were preceded by an email from Reyes to the UMass community that said:

“Just moments ago, I asked the University of Massachusetts Police Department to begin dispersing the crowd and dispersing the encampment. Let me be clear: involving law enforcement is the absolute last resort,” Reyes wrote via email. “It saddens me to send this news tonight, but I hope that our campus community will persevere to find common ground and come together during these challenging times.”

A group of a dozen faculty members met with Reyes Wednesday morning to defuse growing tensions on campus. They criticized the violent police attack on peacefully protesting students and encouraged Reyes to drop all charges and sanctions against the students, pointing out that Reyes claimed to be enforcing rules that were not included in the student code of conduct. They also pointed out that Reyes had the authority to drop charges and sanctions, but Reyes insisted that this was not within his purview.

That morning, a petition began circulating among UMass students, staff and faculty calling for Reyes to resign.

A detailed chronology of the evening’s events can be found in M.DC

Read additional coverage of the UMass arrests

Related
Two-thirds of Amherst College faculty vote in favor of divestment resolution – The Amherst Student
Evergreen State College agrees to advocate for withdrawal from Israel – Democracy Now
College presidents misbehave: Police use against students sets dangerous precedent – Chronicle of Higher Education: