Police Break Up Pro-Palestinian Protest on VCU Campus

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - An anti-Israel protest on the VCU campus was broken up last night after the demonstrators set up an encampment in front of Cabell Library.

Individuals carried signs saying “Free Palestine” and “Ceasefire Now,” among others.

VCU police, along with Richmond and state police moved in after an unlawful assembly was declared. Tear gas was used to disperse the group, and the encampment was torn down.

Police made multiple arrests.

VCU shared a statement Monday night, saying students must be able to safely and successfully finish the semester and must maintain an atmosphere free of disruption to the University’s mission.

"VCU respectfully and repeatedly provided opportunities for those individuals involved – many of whom were not students -- to collect their belongings and leave," VCU said . "Those who did not leave were subject to arrest for trespassing."

The protest outside of VCU’s Cabell Library began earlier in the day on Monday, April 29, following several other similar protests across the nation.