NYPD arrests dozens of protesters in sweep of pro-Gaza encampments at NYU, The New School

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Police cleared out pro-Gaza encampments at New York University and The New School early Friday morning, arresting dozens of protesters urging the schools to divest from Israel.

There were 13 arrests at NYU and 43 at The New School in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, according to the NYPD. At NYU, Friday's sweep was the second round of mass arrests at a campus tent city, after police arrested 133 protesters last month.

A rep for NYU said the request for the NYPD's assistance came after protesters refused to leave the Greene St. Walkway, despite violations of school rules and an agreement with the city about the walkway. NYU also cited "growing safety concerns" about the protesters and counter-protesters being drawn to the site.

"This was not about the content of the protesters' speech, but rather, about the nature of this protest, including the threat it posed to our community," NYU spokesman John Beckman said.

A worker cleans up after a pro-Palestinian encampment on the NYU campus was removed early Friday in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams for New York Daily News)

The sweeps at NYU and The New School followed raids at Columbia University and City College, where close to 300 protesters were arrested Tuesday night. Police later cleared a smaller encampment at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus.

Police arrived at the Greene St. Walkway in riot gear with batons at about 6 a.m. and the process took about 20 minutes. Beckman said it involved "minimal disruption and minimal confrontation." Most of the protesters — about 30 — chose to leave when notified of imminent action, but about a dozen remained, he said.

The NYU Solidarity Coalition in a statement said the history of protests and anti-apartheid movements, covered in NYU classes, have "taught us that there is no way to disrupt" Israel's actions in Gaza "while following rules."

The group suggested NYU ordered the sweep ahead of its Hillel's annual Shabbat event, which draws important Jewish alumni and donors.

Workers clean up Friday after a protesters were removed from the NYU campus. (Barry Williams for New York Daily News)

Meanwhile, a NYU faculty group declared "no confidence" in President Linda Mills, whose brief tenure since the fall has been troubled by campus protests and criticism of the NYPD on campus.

"There were many other ways for our president to approach the challenges and opportunities posed by the students in the encampment," read a statement from the campus chapter of the American Association of University Professors.

In response, Chair Evan Chesler on behalf of the Board of Trustees expressed their "complete confidence in and full support" of Mills and her efforts.

Earlier this week, administrators at NYU said they would proceed with disciplinary action against the protesters at the walkway. The decision came after a weekend of negotiations between three senior administrators and students to remove the tents, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

Another police raid was underway Friday morning at The New School, where students had set up a pro-Gaza encampment nearly two weeks ago.

Pro-Palestinian protesters confront supporters of Israel outside The New School in lower Manhattan on May 2, 2024 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

"The actions and continuing escalation of these individuals are a substantial disruption of the educational environment and regular operations of the university," read a letter from university officials requesting the NYPD's assistance.

The New School announced all academic buildings will be closed Friday.

"We are on site and our officers will be assisting with the unparalleled professionalism," NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry wrote of both sweeps on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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