Student Protestors Condemn VCU's Response to Pro-Palestinian Protest

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Dozens of VCU students involved in Monday’s pro-Palestinian protest outside of the James Branch Cabell library gathered Thursday to condemn the school’s handling of the protest.

Monday’s protest led to a clash between students and police. In total, 13 people were arrested, including six students.

Students who spoke Thursday said the use of force to break up the protest was unwarranted. Speakers described it as a peaceful protest against the war in Gaza. They said the arrival of police escalated tensions unnecessarily.

"I raised my voice on Monday and was physically silenced and blinded by this university. Shame on this institution!" a VCU student named Zahra said at the Thursday press conference.

At Thursday’s gathering, students also shared a new list of demands that included the removal of VCU president Michael Rao.

In a statement Tuesday, the school and President Michael Rao said while they support free speech the encampment violated school policies. VCU said officers issued four warnings to demonstrators, who refused to leave.

Student speakers said school staff did not attempt to speak with them once police arrived. They also said they were not warned that force would be used against them.