At least 16 people, including some students, have been arrested following a protest on Yale University's campus in Connecticut. The police blocked off entrances during their response to the demonstration. The protest, led by pro-Palestine activists urging Yale to divest from military weapons manufacturers, took place at Beinecke Plaza. The protesters had set up tents overnight, marking the third night of their ongoing encampment.
Journalists present at the scene were reportedly threatened with arrest if they did not move from the plaza. The campus paper has reached out to Yale University administration, the Yale Police Department, and the New Haven Police Department for further information on the incident.
Tensions have been running high at various universities across the United States following the October 7 terror attack on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The violence in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of numerous Palestinian civilians, as reported by the enclave's health ministry.
Meanwhile, at Columbia University in New York, all Monday classes have been shifted to virtual format as Passover commences. Columbia's President, Minouche Shafik, stated that the decision was made to 'deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps' amidst the ongoing tensions.
