NJ lawmakers criticize how Rutgers officials negotiated with pro-Palestinian protesters

Some New Jersey lawmakers are criticizing how Rutgers University officials handled a pro-Palestinian protest on the New Brunswick campus.

Republican Rep. Chris Smith says that Rutgers officials who negotiated with the protesters were disgraceful.

Republican state senator and gubernatorial candidate Jon Bramnick also has an issue with the situation.

RELATED: Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

“Under no circumstance in this state should we negotiate with lawbreakers. These student protesters were trespassing,” Bramnick said. “We should never negotiate with lawbreakers. It is a major mistake. What it does is it encourages others to break the law.”

Hundreds of people set up an encampment at Voorhees Mall. Rutgers officials gave the group until 4 p.m. Thursday to clear out. The group dispersed peacefully by the deadline.