34 people arrested at UW-Madison protests, 4 booked into Dane County Jail

MADISON, Wis. -- Law enforcement from multiple agencies took down tents at the protest site on the campus of the University of Wisconsin Wednesday morning.

Officers began clearing the space just before 7 a.m., after issuing warnings to protesters assembled.

As the tents were being removed, the actions of some officers and protesters became physical.

12:00 p.m. SUMMARY

In an update, UWPD spokesperson Marc Lovicott said 34 people were arrested at the protest Tuesday morning. Most were released without a citation, however, four were taken to the Dane County Jail.

One person faces charges of attempted disarming of a police officer, two counts of resisting arrest and attempted escape. Another person faces charges of battery to a police officer and resisting arrest. Two other people face charges of battery to a police officer.

In a statement, Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman said the university system supports First Amendment rights, including the right to protest.

" We commit to upholding free speech rights while simultaneously upholding the law and our mission to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our community," Rothman said. " UW-Madison took action to ensure compliance with applicable law and in fulfillment of its commitment to all students and the campus community. I commend Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin for her reasonableness and resolve, as well as her commitment to free expression and the safety and security of her students."

10:45 P.M. SUMMARY

UWPD officials said three Dane County Sheriff's deputies reported injuries as well as a State Patrol Trooper, who reported being hit in the head with a skateboard.

At least 12 protesters were initially reported arrested, and a number were said to be injured. Some of those taken into custody are said to be members of the UW faculty.

Shortly after most of the tents were removed, law enforcement left Library Mall. Some protesters then began to erect new tents on the site.

UW had reminded protesters that tents and camping are not allowed on any university property under Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, which defines the types of activities permitted on campus.

The university said the campus continues to operate normally. UWPD said it will remain on the scene.

In a statement shared to all UW–Madison students and employees, UW Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin called for calm.

"Civil disobedience has been a time-honored tradition in our nation, including here," said Mnookin. "Yet it is a long-standing element of the civil disobedience tradition to respect the laws we share and to accept that there are consequences for violating them. It is this that distinguishes civil disobedience from mere lawlessness."

Mnookin remained open to listening to protesters and demands, if rules would be followed.

"Members of my leadership team stand ready to continue to listen to the concerns of the members of our community involved in this week’s protest," said Mnookin. "This was a condition we communicated to protesters repeatedly."

9:30 A.M. SUMMARY

Some protesters remain on Library Mall, after police officers fully removed all but one of the tents from the protest area on the UW campus.

According to Marc Lovicott, spokesperson with the UW Police Department, at least 12 have been taken into custody, some of whom are faculty members.

Lovicott said the decision to take down the tents was made shortly before the officers moved into the encampment.

9 A.M. SUMMARY

Police have removed an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Wisconsin’s Madison campus and have taken away several protesters.

Several police officers arrived at the encampment on the campus’ Library Mall around 7 a.m. Wednesday and played a recorded message on a loop saying it was a final warning and that protesters were in violation of university code.

About 20 minutes later, nearly 60 police officers, some with riot shields, arrived and began removing tents and other items. By 9 a.m., law enforcement began to move away from Library Mall.

Earlier, police with riot shields pushing against protesters and the protesters pushing back while chanting slogans, including “Free Free Palestine.” At least 10 protesters were taken away by police with their hands zip-tied by officers.

Police later removed some tents that had remained at the encampment, but about 30 protesters surrounded another tent to prevent officers from reaching it.

Campus leaders and police warned students last week to comply with state law and university rules, which prohibit unauthorized camping on campus. But on Monday, several hundred protesters gathered on the Mall, located between Memorial Library and the Wisconsin Historical Society, and established an encampment.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

At about 8:50 a.m., officers started moving in on the last tent standing on Library Mall. News 3 Now's crews have reported seeing police take away multiple protesters in handcuffs.

Just after 8:30 a.m., protesting students had sat down, arms linked, around one of the remaining tents.

News 3 Now's crew on the scene said they saw police grabbing personal belongings, as protesters handed out snacks and water.

Police removed nearly all of the tents from Library Mall at 8:21 a.m. Just before 7 a.m., police had given protesters 15 minutes to remove their tents.

Students locked arms and have started chanting as officers attempted to take down the last of the tents. They could be heard shouting "Free Palestine," "Shame," and "MPD stand down - students, students hold your ground."

By 8:15 a.m. law enforcement officers had removed multiple people from the encampment with their hands behind their backs. News 3 Now's crew said they saw some in zip-ties. It was not immediately clear where law enforcement was taking those individuals.

Protesters and officers started physically clashing on Library Mall at around 8 a.m.

News 3 Now's crew on the scene reported seeing law enforcement officers using their shields to push some protesters, with some falling to the ground. Students pushed back against those shields as well.

Officers were banding up and holding their shields as of 7:13 a.m. The State Patrol, the Dane County Sheriff's Office and UWPD is on the scene.

As of 7:15 a.m., officers began taking tents down.

Campus information said classes are still happening Wednesday.

In the 6:00 a.m. hour of Wednesday, law enforcement officials told protesters on the UW pro-divestment encampment they needed to pack up.

Over a speaker, officers told protesters this was their "final warning," and played that message on a loop.

Earlier in the morning, News 3 Now crews were on the scene and reported seeing a few law enforcement officers.

Students participating in the encampment remained on Library Mall from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The encampment breaks school policy and state law.

The student group organizing the encampment, Students for Justice in Palestine, have said they won't leave until their demands are met by the university.

Participants in the encampment told News 3 Now Tuesday they had discussions with administrators twice, and were given a deadline of when to leave the encampment.

It's unclear if Wednesday morning was that deadline.

News 3 Now has reached out to the Dean of Students for a comment on the claims students made about their meetings with administrators.

Coverage of day two of the encampment is available here .

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