On Thursday morning, students and faculty from Indiana University's (IU) campus in Bloomington set up more than a dozen tents across Dunn Meadow to denounce the university's investments in Israel's military advancements against Gaza. Around 3:57 p.m, 34 protestors were arrested by authorities from the Indiana State Police and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
On-campus protests at IU Bloomington follow a widespread chain of student protests in U.S. college campuses to call for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. As of April 25, nearly 100 protesters were arrested at the University of Southern California (USC) while dozens of arrests were conducted at the University of Texas Austin after police enforcement surrounded on-campus encampments. University administrators have also faced significant criticism after increased police enforcement toward student protestors and administrative responses to on-campus antisemitism.
According to IUSTV News, arrested students from IU Bloomington were banned from entering campus for one year, without sufficient basis on student handbook guidelines. All protestors except for one individual are being released from jail.
In an interview with Indiana Public Media, IU Divestment Coalition spokesperson Bryce Green emphasized how IU has several study abroad programs and other partnerships with Israel and other Israel lobby organizations, which protestors expressed strong opposition towards. Furthermore, students and faculty demanded IU's dissociation with Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane and for President Pamela Whitten, Provost Rahul Shrivastav and Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs Carrier Docherty to step down from their positions.
However, according to a statement by a university spokesperson, “expressive activity must be conducted in accordance with university free speech and events policies. This includes the enforcement of policies that require advanced approval for the installation of temporary structures.”
As protesters set up their encampment for a second day, Indiana state troopers continue to track protestors’ activities at IU Bloomington. Meanwhile, the Palestine Solidarity Committee at Indiana University called for donations toward bail funds for arrested students. This morning, IU faculty gathered in front of Bryan Hall to protest yesterday’s arrests.
For updates, turn to IU's student media social media and websites.