Stanford Students Arrested During Pro-Palestinian Takeover Protest

More than a dozen people were arrested Wednesday at Stanford University in California after pro-Palestinian student protesters barricaded themselves inside the school's president's office, the latest clash between American students and authorities on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

About 10 students entered the administrative office building around 5:30 a.m. on the last day of classes for the spring term, according to the student newspaper. The Stanford Dailywhile around fifty students linked arms and surrounded the building chanting: “Palestine will be free.”

In an Instagram post, the group Liberate Stanford said an “autonomous group of students” had occupied the office of university president Richard Saller.

Students called on the school to divest from businesses linked to Israel's war in Gaza, among other demands.

Police used a crowbar to enter the building about two hours after the protest began, according to the Stanford Daily. The university said 13 people were arrested and one police officer was injured.

The school said arrested students would be suspended and seniors would not be allowed to graduate.

The university also removed a pro-Palestinian encampment that had been on campus since April as well as a pro-Israel exhibit, citing public safety concerns.

“The situation on campus has now crossed the line between peaceful protests and actions that threaten the safety of our community,” school leaders wrote.

Among the arrested students was a journalist from Stanford Dailysays the newspaper.

Hundreds of students have been arrested in recent months after organizing demonstrations, setting up camps and, in some cases, occupying buildings to protest the Israeli attack on Gaza, which has killed more than 36,500 Palestinians, including 70 percent were women and children.