On Wednesday, law enforcement officials began clearing the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s anti-Israel camp.
After giving the protesters a warning and several “peaceful” exits, according to a statement from UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin, law enforcement officials from the University of Wisconsin Police Department ( UWPD), along with other law enforcement agencies, began clearing the anti-Israel encampment.
Mnookin wrote:
As you may be aware, the University of Wisconsin Police Department ( UWPD ) worked with other law enforcement organizations to, with my permission, cleared the unlawful tent camp on Library Mall this morning at 7 a.m. We have repeatedly requested that the protesters ‘ show be made to comply with the law that forbids traveling on UW grounds over the past few weeks. They resisted doing thus.
During this morning, those existing at the camp were given a number of warnings, during which time they were given the option to keep happily with their belongings and prevent being cited or detained. These warnings came after earlier information, including two messages from school leaders outlining what the encampment’s potential consequences would be.
We appreciate that some protesters opted to leave houses and other camping gear on campus in exchange for avoiding legal penalties. A set of people, including some faculty and staff, obstructed legislation enforcement efforts to remove the houses and were cited.
On Monday, the campsite at UW- Madison was set up on school grounds.
Video of this week’s police presence on Library Mall, warning activists to evacuate their camp. photograph. twitter.com/OqQDTZvDH0
— Tyler Katzenberger (@TylerKatzen ) May 1, 2024
After clearing the anti-Israel camp, authorities were seen loading items into a parked video from the campment.
Police launching the camp items into a truck outside Memorial Union. photograph. twitter.com/0mO9dvj9Bp
— Liam Beran ( @LiamPBeran ) May 1, 2024
While only two tents remained at roughly 9: 05 a. m., two hours later a new encampment was established, according to , Wisconsin Public Radio ( WPR ).
Students reportedly began sitting on the campus lawn and chanting,” I do n’t see no riot here, why are you in riot gear”?
Students have taken a desk.
Follow for exist changes: https ://t.co/gxJtxCCQRC photograph. twitter.com/bquazb3Auh
— Ava Menkes ( @AvaMenkes ) May 1, 2024
In the crowd of protesters squatting on the garden was associate professor of sex and women’s studies at UW-Madison, Sami Schalk.
“HANDS OFF OUR Kids! I’m sitting in with my kids &, associates. From Library Mall, where I am seated on the ground, can see this. Please come in right away and require officers’ back down if you’re in Madison,” Schalk wrote.
Arms OFF OUR STUDENTS. I’m sitting in with my kids &, acquaintances. From Library Mall, where I am seated on the ground, can see this. If you are in Madison, kindly come right away and need that the police step up. photograph. twitter.com/mt9j52QptY
— Sami Schalk ( @DrSamiSchalk ) May 1, 2024
Schalk apparently was one of the people who were detained by law enforcement and put in flap relationships. She claimed in a later article on X that she was being “at the doctor” while being treated for any injuries she might have sustained, and that” a officer” had grabbed her “dress & ripped it,” leaving her arm infected.
” Another” officer, Schalk claimed, “put his arms around” her neck in an attempt to get her on the floor.
UW pof Dr. Sami Schalk arrested. Schalk is walking quietly, in ziptie sleeves, with officers. photograph. twitter.com/GaEPnJxEDE
— Tyler Katzenberger (@TylerKatzen ) May 1, 2024
According to WPR, UW- Madison Police Department spokesman Marc Lovicott stated that” camping” on college was the problem.
They were using camping gear and camping gear below on school without permission. That’s the main reason why we were here now and what we enforced. We’ve welcomed demonstrators here all along, and we’re also welcoming them now. You ca n’t camp here though.
The removal of the anti-Israel camp on UW-Madison’s campus comes as New York Police Department ( NYPD ) officers moved into Columbia University and conducted a raid on Tuesday night to remove anti-Israel protesters from a building they had taken control of early that day.
On April 17, Columbia University’s first encampment was established, and the following day, hundreds of protesters and students were detained and suspended.
Another one sprouted up while the first one was taken from Columbia University.
Since then, camps have been established at several colleges across the country for as Harvard University, Rutgers University, George Washington University, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and people.
