More than 130 protesters were arrested during an anti-Israel demonstration at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on Tuesday night, as confirmed by the university spokesperson. Of the total, 109 individuals have already been arrested by the police for participating in the encampment, with approximately 25 others awaiting processing.
The Chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees, Stephen Karam, expressed full support for Chancellor Javier Reyes, emphasizing the Board's confidence in his leadership, integrity, and dedication to the students.
Reports indicate that the UMass Student Government Association is considering a motion of no confidence in Chancellor Reyes and is scheduled to convene to discuss the matter later in the evening.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts issued a statement criticizing the arrests, highlighting concerns over the use of armed police during the protest. The ACLU emphasized the importance of maintaining press freedom and transparency in such situations, stressing the need for accountability and protection of students' rights to protest.
The ACLU further stated that while campus administrators have a duty to ensure student safety, they must also safeguard the right to peaceful political expression. The decision to involve heavily armed police in a campus protest environment was deemed as potentially hazardous and raised questions about the handling of press freedom and transparency.
