9 Arrested After Setting Up Encampment At U Of M

MINNEAPOLIS — University of Minnesota (U of M) police confirm that nine people were arrested Tuesday after refusing to leave an encampment they set up on campus.

The group Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) says the "University of Minnesota Divest Coalition" set up the encampment at 4 a.m. in front of Walter Library to support the people of Gaza and Palestine, and to protest the U's investments in military manufacturers, many of which do business with Israel.

While the divest coalition - made up of multiple undergrad and grad student organizations - says U of M police began "harassing" demonstrators starting at 6:30 a.m., the university says officers responded after receiving reports that protestors had set up tents and created an encampment on the north end of Northrup Mall, a direct violation of U of M policy.

"UMPD arrived shortly after 6 a.m. and informed those present they were in violation of both University policy and state trespassing law," read a statement shared by the U. "Tents are not allowed on any University property for any purpose without a permit. In addition, Public Safety has not allowed any encampments, tents, fires, or other types of encampment living arrangements on any University properties or in buildings. The group was asked to disperse by 7 a.m. and told they would be arrested if they chose to stay past that time. Some of those present chose to disperse and continue peacefully protesting, but nine chose to remain and were arrested without incident."

The statement said the U of M "supports and respects" free speech through lawful protest, noting its status as a public research institution where groups regularly express "diverse views and opinions."

Following the arrest of demonstrators Tuesday, WAMM is demanding that those taken into custody be immediately released and all potential charges dropped.

SOURCE: KARE 11