Police disband pro-Palestine encampment on UI campus

An encampment set up by pro-Palestine activists on the University of Iowa campus was dismantled within half an hour by university, county and state police.

University of Iowa Action for Palestine, described on its social media as an “autonomous network of students, community members, alumni, and staff organizing and acting for a free, Liberated Palestine,” set up tents in Hubbard Park early Monday morning.

University of Iowa police “became aware” of the encampment at 7:18 a.m., according to a news release from the University of Iowa Police Department, and told those setting up the encampment that the police would remove any materials and possibly make arrests if they didn’t tear it down within 30 minutes. The individuals were also informed of university policy, which does not allow encampments on campus.

“The group then continued building a fence to reinforce the camp with chicken wire, wood pallets, plywood with handles, and a sheet of corrugated metal,” the press release stated. “When this occurred, UIPD made the decision to immediately enforce university policy and began to remove the materials.”

Organizers were warned again that they could be arrested if they didn’t leave, the release stated, after which people left. No arrests were made. According to the release, Iowa State Patrol and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office assisted UI police.

Monday’s action came after Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine held a three-day event in support of other student encampments across the U.S. and to reiterate demands that the UI call for a ceasefire in Gaza and stop its work with companies and organizations with Israeli ties. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said last week during a press conference that protests that involve destruction or hate speech would not be tolerated.

Protests in support of Palestine have also taken place at Iowa State University and Grinnell College. Nationwide, more than 2,000 people have been arrested at protests on college campuses, according to the Associated Press.