Dozens of Pro-Palestinian Protesters Detained at Yale University Amid Spread of Rallies
Protesters at Yale University faced arrests as they defied orders to disperse during a pro-Palestinian and pro-divestment demonstration, according to Connecticut police reports. The incident reflects the escalation of rallies across multiple campuses in support of the Palestinian cause.
Yale University police arrested multiple protesters who reportedly ignored orders to disperse from a pro-Palestinian, pro-divestment demonstration on Monday morning, according to Connecticut police.
As of 10 p.m. on Monday, approximately 100 protesters were still present, as noted by a CNN reporter at the scene. However, by 11:27 p.m., the crowd had decreased to around 20 individuals, as reported by Yale Daily News.
A sign was placed at the Pro-Palestine protest encampment at Columbia University campus in New York on Monday, April 22, 2024. 
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Columbia University has decided to continue offering hybrid classes until the end of the semester due to safety concerns arising from tense protests. The campus has been experiencing a series of demonstrations in support of Palestine, similar to those happening at other universities.
Tensions have been rising at several US universities following the October 7 terror attack on Israel by Hamas. The attack resulted in the death of around 1,200 individuals. Additionally, Israel's retaliation against Hamas in Gaza has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians, as reported by the enclave's health ministry.
Stay updated on the latest developments regarding protests happening at Columbia University and other universities.
At Yale, around 45 individuals decided not to leave and were charged by Yale officers with Criminal Trespass in the 1st Degree, a misdemeanor. According to a statement from the New Haven police, they were taken to a Yale Police facility for processing and later released.
Pro-Palestinian supporters set up a protest encampment on the campus of Columbia University on April 22, 2024 in New York City. All classes at Columbia University have been held virtually today after school President Minouche Shafik announced a shift to online learning in response to recent campus unrest. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
A protester is arrested at Yale University on Monday. Police said those arrested face misdemeanor charges of criminal trespassing.
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Following the wave of arrests, New Haven police reported that a group of around 200 protesters came back to block an intersection late Monday morning.
Around 5 p.m., the protesters were informed to leave as the police were prepared to declare the gathering as an unlawful assembly. Organizers of the protest requested the group to disperse, and the majority of them went back to campus to carry on with their demonstration. The road was reopened, and there were no reports of anyone being arrested by CNN.
Yale University’s police department gave out summonses to 47 students who were asked multiple times to leave Hewitt Quadrangle. The students were part of a protest advocating for Yale to stop investing in military weapons manufacturers.
Yale University stated that students who were arrested will also face disciplinary action, which may involve consequences like reprimand, probation, or suspension.
The Yale Daily News reported that protesters at Yale had been given warnings on two occasions - once at 11 p.m. on Sunday and again before 7 a.m. on Monday, according to the university's police chief.
Pro-Palestinian supporters staged a protest camp at Columbia University in New York City on April 22, 2024. Due to the unrest on campus, President Minouche Shafik decided to move all classes to online learning for the day.
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Protests at Columbia and other schools escalate
Journalists from the publication were also threatened with arrest if they did not move from the plaza, the independent campus newspaper said.
Many protesters ignored police warnings and chose to stay despite the risk of arrest. In a show of solidarity, some linked arms around a flagpole and sang, “We Shall Not Be Moved,” as captured in footage shared with CNN by independent journalist Thomas Birmingham, a Yale graduate.
Meanwhile, Columbia University, located 75 miles away in New York, announced that it will continue to offer hybrid classes for the rest of the semester due to safety concerns arising from ongoing protests.
Columbia University held virtual classes on Monday in anticipation of the Jewish holiday of Passover. This decision was made in light of ongoing protests against Israel's actions in Gaza.
In a statement released on Monday night, Columbia University emphasized that the safety of its students is their top priority. They are committed to supporting students' learning and ensuring that all academic operations continue as required.
Organizers of the student protests at Columbia have emphasized that their demonstrations have been peaceful. They have also made it clear that they are separate from non-student protesters who have been outside the campus. These individuals are described as "inflammatory" and not representative of the student protesters.
This story has been updated with more information.
CNN’s Sarah Dewberry and Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing protests at Yale and Columbia universities highlight the growing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on American campuses. The arrests of protesters at Yale, despite warnings to disperse, underscore the heightened security measures being taken in response to the escalating unrest. The decision by Columbia University to continue hybrid classes due to safety concerns reflects the disruption these protests are causing to academic life.
It is crucial to note that the protests are not solely about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also encompass broader concerns about social justice and the role of universities in addressing them. The protesters are demanding that Yale divest from companies that profit from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, while at Columbia, they are calling for the university to take a more active stance against human rights violations in Palestine. The involvement of students in these demonstrations demonstrates their passion for these issues and their willingness to challenge the status quo.
