WALTHAM, Mass. — Seven people were arrested at Brandeis University on Friday after school officials say a campus demonstration turned violent.
The seven people who were arrested face varying charges including assault and battery on a police officer, unlawful assembly, and disorderly conduct, according to Waltham Police, whose officers responded to the campus around 3:30 p.m. Friday to assist at the request of Brandeis University Police.
Waltham Police on Saturday would not release the names of the individuals who were arrested. Seven people were transported to the Waltham Police station for booking following Friday’s arrests.
“No major injuries occurred as a result of these arrests,” Waltham Police said in a statement on Saturday.
According to cell phone video taken at the demonstration, the rally was in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
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The arrests allegedly occurred after campus police officers gave four dispersal orders.
“The Brandeis University Police issued multiple dispersal orders. Several participants refused to cooperate, and seven (7) arrests were made by Brandeis University Police,” Waltham Police said in their statement.
“The demonstration proceeded without interruption until protesters - including individuals unaffiliated with Brandeis - began chanting threatening language which included hate speech,” Brandeis University said in a statement.
The arrests come as the school said earlier in the week that it will no longer recognize the local chapter of the National Students for Justice in Palestine because the student group “openly supports Hamas, a terrorist organization.”
“SJP has called on its chapters to engage in conduct that supports Hamas in its call for the elimination of the only Jewish state in the world and its people,” Brandeis’s statement read. “Such expression is not protected by Brandeis’ principles of free speech. Students are welcome to express their support for Palestinians in a manner that complies with our rights and responsibilities.”
No additional information is available.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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