One arrested at pro-Palestinian protest at Belltower

A demonstrator was arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest held at the Belltower on Tuesday. 

The protest was announced on Tuesday evening by NC State’s Arab Student Organization and began at 6:30 p.m. Around one hour after the start of the protest, NC State Police ordered students to disperse. When students did not disperse, a protester holding a megaphone was grabbed from the front line by Field Operations Major Anthony Puckett. 

The individual, who is not a student, was arrested and charged with second degree trespassing and brought to Wake County Detention Center.

The group of protesters moved from the Belltower to sidewalks around campus after her arrest. When they attempted to reenter campus, University Police physically resisted, before allowing them to continue marching through campus. 

The organizers of the protest directed the group to the Wake County Detention Center in support of the detained protester, who was released soon upon their arrival. 

Following the protest, NC State’s Students for Justice in Palestine posted video footage of NC State Police using physical force when interacting with protesters. 

This protest follows the removal of the Triangle Gaza Solidarity Encampment and arrest of six protesters on UNC’s Polk Place on Tuesday morning. 

NC State’s SJP posted a call to action after NC State Police was present during the arrests at the Chapel Hill encampment. NC State Police’s presence was in response to a request for assistance from various UNC System police departments.