Police arrest 17 at University of Utah protest overnight
Police arrested 17 protesters at the University of Utah late last night, after hundreds had picketed administrators as part of the national pro-Palestinian protest movement.
The arrests were made by 11:45 p.m. last night, the university said in a statement, after multiple law enforcement authorities moved into disperse the protest after 11 p.m. The university had warned protesters they were breaking both state regulations and its own rules.
Officers removed about a dozen tents, as well as stashes of water, food and toilet paper, the university said, adding that some voluntarily took down their tent.
“Campuses serve as a stage and forum for not just students, but for members of the community who want their voice to be heard. We honor all voices, but the right to speech on our campus must occur within the confines of state law and campus policies,” Keith Squires, the university’s chief safety officer said in the statement.
The university said the final exams taking place this week will continue today.