Stanford University said 13 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Wednesday morning after they entered the building holding offices of the school’s president and provost.
Stanford spokesperson Dee Mostofi said a public safety officer was injured after being shoved by protesters who were interfering with a transport vehicle. Deputies from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and Stanford’s Department of Public Safety were on scene, the Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
Mostofi said the building has been cleared. She also said, “There has been 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,” Mostofi said in an email. “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,” Mostofi said. “This was not a peaceful protest and actions such as what occurred this morning have no place at Stanford.”
A group calling itself Liberate Stanford, made up of Stanford students and alumni, said on Instagram they entered the office of Stanford president Richard Saller at approximately 6 a.m. and barricaded themselves inside.
“We refuse to leave until Stanford administration and the Stanford Board of Trustees meet our demands and take action to address their role in enabling and profiting from the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” the group said.
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.
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