(CBS DETROIT) – Wayne State University officials say pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment on campus Thursday evening.
CBS News Detroit went to the encampment, where protesters were setting up tents. WSU campus police and Detroit police were monitoring the area.
Wayne State University released the following statement:
“Earlier this evening, a small encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters was set up on our campus. It is an evolving situation, with public safety on site to ensure it is peaceful, safe and non-disruptive to our campus operations.”
Protesters told CBS News Detroit that they held a rally before setting up the camp. Two WSU alumni who were at the camp said the goal is to push the university to divest from companies and investment funds with ties to Israel. The two women said they planned to establish a camp there until their demands were met.
“Some of our demands include divesting more manufacturing companies, such as the S&P 500 portfolio. We also want the Board of Governors to recognize the resolution passed by the Student Senate, the police resolution,” WSU alumnus Zaynah Jadallah told CBS NewsDetroit.
In Ann Harbor, police cleared an encampment on the University of Michigan campus Tuesday morning after more than a month.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that U of M police arrested four people. These four have since been released and no charges have been filed.
Similar protests have been held on college campuses across the US
Students and others have expressed concerns about the way Israel has conducted the war against Hamas in Gaza. Some protests have also led to clashes with police, and on some campuses Jewish students say they have been the target of anti-Semitic attacks.
