At least 25 people were arrested for trespassing on Saturday, the University of Virginia said, after police were called to disperse a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.
In a statement, UVA said those arrested were taken to the Albemarle County Regional Jail. The university said it is still waiting for confirmation on how many of the 25 arrested were affiliated with UVA.
The statement said the University of Virginia “responded today to a demonstration near the University Chapel following multiple University police violations and subsequent violent conduct by protesters.”
CNN has reached out to Camp UVA in Gaza several times for comment.
When asked for examples of violent behavior by protesters, a university spokesperson referred CNN to their statement, which indicated that during Saturday's police action, “authorities were again met with agitation, chanting and violent gestures.” as balancing objects.”
The campus was declared “stable” around 4 p.m., UVA said, after police were seen clearing protesters from the area.
Earlier this week, a group called UVA Encampment for Gaza posted a statement on Instagram calling for the university to divest from Israel.
In its statement, the university said protests earlier in the week were peaceful and did not disrupt university activities. A request to remove tents near UVA's chapel was honored Tuesday and previous demonstrations complied with university policies, according to the statement.
The statement said Friday that UVA officials offered to continue discussions about university investments, adding: “The University accepted the group's final request to allow students, faculty and staff to express their support for Palestine without risking the administrative discipline, provided that said expressive activity occurred within the limits of UVA laws and policies.”
UVA said Friday night that “a crowd occupied the rally area for a vigil and began erecting several tents and marquees prohibited by University policy.”
On Saturday morning, the university said its police chief told the group they would be given 15 minutes to voluntarily remove the tents. After several additional warnings throughout the day, UVA said: “Due to the increasing resistance of protesters and their refusal to comply with the declaration by quickly leaving the designated area, additional resources were requested from the Virginia State Police to assist to enforce the declaration of an illegal situation. Assembly around 2:45 pm”
The Virginia State Police referred CNN to the University and its police as the lead agency on campus. State police were there in an “assist capacity” on Saturday, a spokesman said.
