Democracy Dies in Darkness

U-Va. officials defend arrests at protest as faculty seek review of decision

University of Virginia faculty called Friday for an independent review of the use of police to clear a pro-Palestinian protest but stopped short of condemning the decision.

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May 10, 2024 at 8:18 p.m. EDT
Authorities detained and forcibly removed pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of Virginia on May 4. (Video: The Cavalier Daily, Photo: Justin Ide for The Washington Post/The Cavalier Daily)
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University of Virginia faculty on Friday called for an independent review of the use of police to clear a pro-Palestinian demonstration, but stopped short of condemning the decision to bring in state law enforcement officers. More than 25 people were arrested.

University President James E. Ryan said he was sorry for the way things escalated as police moved in on demonstrators, and some faculty members said they were concerned the response was too heavy-handed. Ryan, though, did not say outright he would have acted differently, and the university’s police chief said officials felt compelled to disperse a group that included people with no connection to U-Va.