U-Va. Officials defend protest arrests, faculty demand independent review

University of Virginia faculty on Friday called for an independent review of the use of police to clear a pro-Palestinian demonstration, but did not condemn the decision to bring in state law enforcement officials. More than 25 people were arrested.

University President James E. Ryan said he regretted the way things escalated as police cracked down on protesters, and some faculty members said they worried the response had been too heavy-handed. However, Ryan did not directly say he would have acted differently, and the university’s police chief said officers felt compelled to break up a group that included people who had no connection to U-Va.