Police are clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment at DePaul University’s Lincoln Park campus Thursday morning.
The encampment has been in place since April 30 and had been the longest-standing in the U.S. and the last remaining in the Chicago area.
Channel 7 news is reporting police officers on the scene at the quad in riot gear just before 6 a.m.
“Our Office of Public Safety and Chicago Police are now disassembling the encampment,” university president Rob Manuel said in a written statement early Thursday.
“Every person currently in the encampment will be given the opportunity to leave peacefully and without being arrested,” the statement said. “I urge all there to leave peacefully and return home.”
I’m at DePaul University this morning where police are clearing the last pro-Palestinian encampment in Chicago. There’s a heavy police presence and protesters chanting on Fullerton while cops clean out the encampment on the quad. @Suntimes pic.twitter.com/8SS4o1eTGp
— Mary Norkol (@mary_norkol) May 16, 2024
In the statement, Manuel said he was “deeply saddened” by the development.
“I write to you early on this Thursday morning to inform you that despite our good faith efforts to come to a shared resolution with the DePaul Divestment Coalition, we were unsuccessful,” Manuel said in the statement.
“Effective immediately, the quad and all other green spaces on the Lincoln Park Campus will be closed to everyone,” the statement said. “These spaces will remain closed until further notice so that we can begin property repairs and return to normal operations.”
“Anyone who tries to breach the fence around the quad or any of the green spaces on the Lincoln Park Campus will be trespassed, arrested, and suspended,” the statement said.
Over the weekend, administrators declared they had reached a stalemate with organizers and could not move forward with negotiations. Ayesh said the encampment still wants to negotiate and proposed additional meetings, but the administration did not show up. Still, the people of Gaza remain front of mind for her.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.
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