Pro-Palestinian student protesters in New Orleans Monday evening set up an encampment on Tulane University’s campus, after some initial clashes with law enforcement.
About 250 protesters marched from Tulane’s ROTC building on Freret Street and turned on Calhoun, before taking St. Charles Avenue to set up tents in front of Tulane President Michael Fitts’ office.
As the protesters started setting up tents, law enforcement officers approached. One told them, “not on campus.” They continued, and police and protesters clashed.
Police carried several protesters away, and some officers rode horses into the crowd, creating a frenzy. It was not immediately clear whether New Orleans Police Department or Tulane Police took the protesters away or if they were arrested.
Police confronted pro-Palestinian protesters as they started to set up an encampment on Tulane University's campus Monday.
Eventually, protesters formed a human barricade and pitched tents on the inside. The officers eventually stepped back, leaving about ten feet away from them and the protesters. About 20 officers in total stood present at the scene, including three on horseback.
Pro-Palestinian student protests are intensifying across the country as the Israeli military's bombardment of Gaza following Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel continues.
A recent string of police arrests at pro-Palestinian student demonstrations across the United States have made headlines, including at Columbia in New York City, the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Southern California.
As the situation calmed at Tulane Monday, protesters added tents, at least five total.
“We have just established the Tulane Free Gaza University,” one protester declared of their encampment.
The protesters demanded Tulane and Loyola universities disclose and divest any academic or financial ties to Israel and establish safe spaces on campus for Arab and Palestinian students. They also are calling them to support creating a New Orleans City Council resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza.
One speaker said, “We are going to stay here until the university meets our demands.”
The protest was led by Loyola and Tulane chapters of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports (NOSHIP) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).
When asked by a reporter if he thought Tulane could end up canceling commencement ceremonies over student protests, like the University of Southern California recently did, Tulane senior and organizer Vonne Crandell told reporters, "If they don't give in (to our demands), I hope so."
As of 7:30 p.m., the protest was still going with chants of “Free Palestine" while scores of onlookers watched and cars passed by honking in support, including one man who waved a keffiyeh out of the window of his car.
Protest organizers played a recording from a woman who said she was displaced from Gaza and specifically thanked Tulane and Loyola students for their support.
“You are now our voice when we don’t have one,” she said. “Don’t abandon us like the rest of the world has.”
