Multiple people arrested at Virginia Commonwealth University after pro-Palestinian protest

WASHINGTON

Multiple people were arrested at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond on Monday after a pro-Palestinian protest, according to media reports.

Police in Richmond responded to demonstrators who were protesting Israel’s onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears said VCU Maintenance is dismantling the tent encampment.

"Crowds are being dispersed. Students and non-students have been arrested," she added.

The university said in a statement that final exams begin this week and VCU must provide students the opportunity to "safely and successfully" complete the semester.

"The gathering violated several university policies.

"VCU respectfully and repeatedly provided opportunities for those individuals involved – many of whom were not students -- to collect their belongings and leave. Those who did not leave were subject to arrest for trespassing," it added.

Protests are sweeping college campuses nationwide following a police attempt to clear a pro-Palestine encampment at New York's Columbia University, resulting in the arrest of over 100 students.

Hundreds of students have been arrested on campuses across the US with protests demanding universities divest from Israel and condemn its ongoing war on the besieged Gaza Strip, where over 34,400 people have been killed.

Students in several other countries including Canada, Australia, France and Egypt have organized demonstrations at their universities in solidarity with Palestine.