Virginia Commonwealth College has turn into the newest epicenter of violent protests, as pro-Hamas supporters occupied elements of the campus, resulting in a tense standoff with riot police. Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for all college students.
The confrontation started Monday morning when a bunch of pupil protesters established what they referred to as a “Liberation Zone” outdoors the James Department Cabell Library on VCU’s Monroe Park campus. The group displayed Palestinian flags and chanted “Free Palestine,” demanding a direct ceasefire in Gaza and calling for VCU to sever all monetary ties with Israel.
Because the day progressed, tents had been erected, and protesters fortified their place by forming a barrier across the zone.
Because the day progressed, the scenario intensified with pro-Hamas supporters occupying the library and courtyard. Police responded by deploying tear gasoline and pepper spray after protesters hurled objects at officers.
Social media posts confirmed tense standoffs between legislation enforcement and demonstrators, with the latter demanding that VCU disclose and divest any monetary ties to Israel and defend pro-Palestinian speech on campus.
WATCH:
#BREAKING: A shelter-in-place order has been issued as a result of violent protests going down at Virginia Commonwealth College, the place riots are occurring⁰⁰#Richmond | #Virginia⁰⁰Currently, emergency officers have despatched out a message instructing all college students to… pic.twitter.com/gpbobuxmIe
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 30, 2024
Virginia Commonwealth College (VCU)
Air-raid sirens, riot police stand off, shelter-in-place orders given.
Joe Biden’s America.
Insurgency.
Counterinsurgency. pic.twitter.com/VT5afRWbCL— Edward G. (@realEdwardG) April 30, 2024
All college students at Virginia Commonwealth College in Richmond are instructed to shelter-in-place as a result of police motion towards the pro-Hamas rioters.
All College students are being instructed to Shelter-in-Place at Virginia Commonwealth College in Richmond, because of the Police Crackdown on the Professional-Hamas Encampment on Campus which has taken over the Cabell Library Constructing and close by Courtyard. pic.twitter.com/7Voz56gyUv
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 30, 2024
RTD Information reporter Samuel B. Parker offered dwell updates from the scene.
The night noticed the police making a number of arrests and a trash truck arriving to clear the makeshift encampments. Regardless of the police’s efforts to disperse the gang, chants continued, and the variety of demonstrators reportedly grew.
“Officers have moved into place and disassembled the makeshift barricade. Pepper spray has been deployed and protesters threw bottles and different projectiles at officers.”
Officers transfer in. Pepper spray has been deployed and protesters threw bottles and different projectiles at officers. pic.twitter.com/4bB2h1UiSo
— Samuel B. Parker (@SamuelParkerRTD) April 30, 2024
“You don’t have to do that,” protesters are shouting. “You’re on the fallacious aspect of historical past.” pic.twitter.com/ppYSrGFgDC
— Samuel B. Parker (@SamuelParkerRTD) April 30, 2024
Arrests, half 3. Not less than six that I’ve seen, however listening to of extra. Arduous to breathe or depend via the tear gasoline. pic.twitter.com/5zguB16UOh
— Samuel B. Parker (@SamuelParkerRTD) April 30, 2024
There are way more individuals right here now than there have been when this began. Can’t think about that was the intention. pic.twitter.com/U6zIvzwalt
— Samuel B. Parker (@SamuelParkerRTD) April 30, 2024
