NYU President Linda G. Mills has defended the decision to call in the NYPD to break up an encampment on the Greene St. Walkway, citing safety concerns and escalating threats. The incident, which resulted in 14 arrests, was deemed non-violent.
Mills explained that noise complaints, safety issues, and escalating threats prompted the university to take action. The encampment had become “increasingly untenable” for the NYU community and the surrounding neighborhood, she said.
After the police intervention, hundreds of students and protesters returned to the campus to hold a rally in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The situation escalated on Wednesday when a group from a May Day march got into altercations on the walkway.
The decision to involve law enforcement was made after threats were directed at NYU administrators and the risk of violence became too great. The university’s senior leadership determined that waiting for a more serious incident was not an option.
Meanwhile, at the University of Mississippi, pro-Palestinian protesters faced intense confrontations with counter-protesters. Videos captured the hostile environment, with reports of racism, threats, and physical aggression.
The incidents at NYU and the University of Mississippi highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges universities face in balancing free speech with safety concerns.
