POLICE RAID QUAD CAMP – Chicago Maroon

Around 4:25 a.m. Tuesday morning, less than an hour after camp organizers wrapped up their final rally of the evening, several dozen UCPD officers arrived at the main square to clear out the pro-Palestinian camp. The officers arrived on the ninth day of the camp UChicago United for Palestine (UCUP) opened a camp in the plaza outside Swift Hall at 10 a.m. Monday, following moves by pro-Palestinian groups at numerous other universities that have set up camps in recent weeks.

Shortly before UCPD officers searched the camp, two UCPD cars arrived in the main plaza. Protesters were told over a loudspeaker that “the University of Chicago does not permit their assembly in this area” and that they were “hereby notified that they have committed a felony by being on… private property without permission.”

“Anyone who does not comply will be prosecuted,” announced the speaker. “Students who fail to comply with this order will be subject to university disciplinary action and will be placed on immediate leave.”

Because protesters had mostly returned to their tents to spend the night after the rally, they had only a few minutes to obey orders before UCPD officers entered the camp. As UCPD officers toppled the camp’s tents and barriers, protesters collectively chanted the phrases they had used at their daily rallies at the camp over the past week. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office was also observed at the scene during the raid.

“More than 40,000 dead! Instead, you are arresting children!” Members of the camp sang in a video that was verified and verified by The auburn one by a demonstrator in the camp during the eviction.

Shared in an interview with The auburn oneone camp member claimed that “(UCPD) gave (the camp members) no clear plan to leave.

“They arrived maybe two minutes after the warning,” the warehouse employee said. “It is clear that they waited until the end of the rally. We were at our most vulnerable.”

Protesters could be heard screaming Maroon personnel as the raid continued. At 4:55 a.m. the UCPD ordered the press included Maroon Staff to leave the quad. It is currently unclear how many people were arrested and whether there were any injuries.

The university could not be reached for comment.

This is a developing story. Follow live updates Here.