AMHERST, N.Y. (WKBW) — The University at Buffalo announced that 15 people were arrested after a pro-Palestine protest at the university's North Campus on Wednesday night.
Individuals organized outside of Hochstetter Hall to call for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.
According to UB, individuals with no known affiliation with the university allegedly led the effort to set up an encampment and made up a large portion of the protesters.
The 15 people were arrested after they were allegedly advised of and failed to comply with an order to disperse for a violation of the university's picketing and assembling policy. You can find the policy here.
The university said of the 15 people arrested, eight are believed to be unaffiliated with the university and seven are UB students. A previous statement from UB reported five of the arrests were students, but was corrected to seven.
According to UB, the charges that were filed included:
- Loitering
- Trespass
- Disorderly conduct
- Resisting arrest
Those arrested were released on appearance tickets to appear in Amherst Town Court at a later date.
7 News spoke to some protesters who said some were tackled to the ground and taken into custody by police.
One UB student we spoke with said: "I feel like what they teach us in the class, and what they've taught us our whole lives about how we have freedom of speech, how we're in a democracy, just went out the window. We are out here trying to exercise our rights and those rights are being violated. It makes me feel angry against the president because I'm genuinely wondering, 'Where are you?' Your students are being violently arrested."
Another student told 7 News: "I'm hoping that at some point UB divests, I hope at some point that we see some change, but this is the situation right now and we have to fight somehow."
The university said two police officers were assaulted and treated on campus for minor injuries and one person who was arrested was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury.
"While the decision to arrest individuals occurred after multiple discussions, communications and warnings to protestors, UB Police prioritized the safety and security of the university community by upholding and enforcing all applicable laws, SUNY rules and UB policies," the university said in a release.
The agencies that responded to the protest included: UB Police, New York State Police, Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo police and Amherst police.
UB released the following statement earlier Wednesday evening:
"Approximately 50 people — some of them students and other individuals unaffiliated with the University at Buffalo — continue to protest on North Campus Wednesday evening following a campus march that was originally organized by the UB chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.
After the march through North Campus, approximately five tents were placed on the lawn by protestors near Hochstetter Hall in violation of UB and State University of New York policy.
Protestors removed the tents after they were advised by staff from Student Life and University Police of UB policy prohibiting indoor and outdoor encampments. University Police and Student Life have also informed protestors that they need to disperse by dusk and no overnight assemblies are allowed.
The university recognizes and respects students’ right to protest. It is our expectation that protests occur lawfully in public spaces, and protestors will not disrupt or prevent the orderly conduct of classes, lectures, events and meetings.
Those members of the university community who wish to express their viewpoints through picketing and other forms of demonstration are permitted to peacefully do so but must not violate the provisions of the Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order of the SUNY Board of Trustees and must adhere to UB’s Picketing and Assembling Policy, including the prohibition of indoor and outdoor encampments."
The protest at UB occurred after individuals gathered at Buffalo State University Wednesday afternoon.
WATCH: 'SUNY hear us loud': Buffalo State University students hold peaceful Pro-Palestine walkout
