Over 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested by the Boston Police Department (BPD) on Wednesday evening at Emerson College. These arrests come after days of demonstrations by students at the college, who had set up an encampment in an alleyway partially owned by the college. Despite being warned by the authorities that they were in violation of city ordinances, the protesters had refused to leave the area, leading to the police taking action.
A BPD spokesperson confirmed that a total of 108 arrests were made during the protest. Four police officers were injured, but their injuries were reported to be non-life threatening. Additionally, three protestors were also injured, though their injuries were described as minor. Another protestor was injured more seriously, but their condition was not life-threatening. It was further clarified that none of the protestors in custody reported any injuries. The arrested protestors will be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court, though the details of the charges against them are unclear at this time.
The protests had been ongoing since Sunday, with students setting up an encampment on a public alleyway. Despite repeated warnings from the city and the college administration, the protestors refused to comply with the city ordinances. CBS News Boston reported that the protestors had also been warned about blocking pedestrian access to the alley, creating noise violations, and posing fire hazards by blocking doors and hydrants. The college, in an announcement to its students, urged the protestors to abide by the laws and clear out of the encampment. However, the protestors refused to comply, leading to their arrests.
Due to the ongoing protests, classes at Emerson College were canceled on Thursday. The college has not made an official statement regarding the arrests, but it is likely that they will address the situation in the coming days.
The BPD also noted that they had received reports of “targeted harassment and intimidation” of Jewish supporters on campus, as well as students, staff, faculty, and neighbors trying to pass through the encampment. The college condemned this behavior, calling it unacceptable. It is unclear at this time if any action will be taken against those responsible for these incidents.
I'm near Emerson College in Boston right now where Boston Police are arresting dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters.
Arrested protesters are chanting "we keep us safe!" from inside a paddy wagon, as those on sidelines chant along. pic.twitter.com/Cw0gzmh2mY
— Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs (@NickAtNews) April 25, 2024
The protests at Emerson College are just one instance of pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have erupted across the country in recent days. The initial trigger for these protests was the arrest of nearly 100 students at Columbia University, who were protesting the school’s ties to Israel. Since then, several universities, including Yale, MIT, and UNC Chapel Hill, have seen similar demonstrations, with students setting up encampments and demanding that their schools boycott, divest, and sanction Israel over its conflict with Hamas.
In conclusion, over 100 pro-Palestinian protestors were arrested at Emerson College, following several days of demonstrations and the refusal to comply with city ordinances. The protests have led to injuries and property damage, and both the college and the city have condemned the protestors’ actions. These protests are part of a larger movement across the country, with students at several universities calling for their schools to take action against Israel.