Pro-Palestinian protesters barricade themselves inside Stanford University president's office; 13 arrested
More than a dozen people were arrested after a group of students and alumni barricaded themselves inside the office of Stanford University's president early Wednesday morning to protest the institute's response to pro-Palestinian protesters' demands over the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to the group Stanford for Palestine, the students and alumni locked themselves inside Stanford President Richard Saller's office around 5:30 a.m. The protesters said they refused to leave Saller's office until the Stanford administration and the Stanford Board of Trustees take action to address "their role in enabling and profiting from the ongoing genocide in Gaza."
A Stanford spokesperson said the protesters "unlawfully" entered Building 10, which houses the offices of the president and provost. As of 8:37 a.m., spokesperson Dee Mostofi said in an emailed statement that the offices had been cleared and 13 people were arrested.
Mostofi added that a public safety officer was injured after being shoved by protesters, who left behind "extensive damage to the interior of Building 10 and exterior of the buildings in the quad."
"We are appalled that our students chose to take this action and we will work with law enforcement to ensure that they face the full consequences allowed by law," said Mostofi. "All arrested students will be immediately suspended and in case any of them are seniors, they will not be allowed to graduate.
"We have consistently emphasized the need for constructive engagement and peaceful protest when there is a disagreement in views. This was not peaceful protest and actions such as what occurred this morning have no place at Stanford."
Stanford for Palestine said the university has refused to negotiate with the pro-Palestine advocates over Gaza concerns. The protesters have accused Stanford University of "holding multi-million dollar investments in corporations that provide material and logistical support to Israel's current military" in the Gaza armed conflict.
"Stanford students have tried, repeatedly, to engage with administration through protest. Since October 2023, over 20 rallies have taken place, with undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and faculty coming together to demand that Stanford honors its commitment to human rights. Each time, administration has refused," the group said in a statement. "The University is profiting off the genocide of Palestinians as we speak, and we refuse to be silenced."
The group said they unofficially renamed the building in honor of Dr. Adnan al-Bursh, a Palestinian general surgeon they said was killed by Israel in April.