CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A faceoff between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park quad prompted a heavy police response on Sunday, according to a statement released by the university.
In an alert sent out shortly after 11 a.m., DePaul said Chicago police were on the scene to “ensure the safety and wellbeing of DePaul’s students, faculty, staff and community.” As of 2 p.m., dozens of officers were still on the scene.
DePaul has instructed its students to remain indoors if they are on campus and to avoid the Lincoln Park quad.
In response to questions from WBBM Newsradio, a Chicago police spokesperson confirmed they have officers on the scene but said they are waiting for those officers to contact them with updates.
A pro-Palestinian tent encampment has been set up on the quad since Tuesday. Demonstrators have called on the university to disclose and divest from any companies that are supporting the Israel-Hamas war.
One student participating in the encampment told WBBM on Wednesday that the protest has remained peaceful, though some neighbors have said they’re concerned about safety.
Similar encampments have been popping up at college campuses across the country. On Saturday, Chicago police arrested 68 people who were participating in a tent encampment at the Art Institute of Chicago.
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