Police clash with pro-Palestine protesters on Ohio State University campus
Summary
TLDRA tense situation unfolded on the Ohio State University campus as a group of protesters, including students and community members, gathered to voice their concerns over the university's alleged business ties with companies supporting the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Initially peaceful, the protest escalated when law enforcement, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Columbus Police, moved in to disperse the crowd around 10 PM. The authorities, following multiple warnings, arrested individuals for criminal trespassing. The dispersal led to a standoff, with some protesters and a local social justice leader urging the crowd to go home to avoid further conflict. The situation remained dynamic, with law enforcement maintaining a heavy presence to ensure the area was cleared and to prevent any potential property damage or violence.
Takeaways
- ð A large group of protesters had gathered on the Ohio State University (OSU) campus, where they set up tents and were engaging in peaceful activities, including prayer sessions.
- ð° Law enforcement, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, moved in at 10:00 PM to disperse the crowd after the protesters had been given multiple warnings to leave the area.
- ðš The situation escalated as police began arresting individuals for criminal trespassing, with some reports indicating around a dozen arrests made.
- ð Protesters claimed they were engaging in peaceful protest and prayer, expressing their solidarity with Gaza and calling for the university to divest from companies supporting Israel's war efforts.
- ð£ There were reports of police aggression, with some protesters alleging that law enforcement used excessive force, including against individuals who were praying.
- ð®ââïž Retired Sheriff Russ Martin provided perspective on law enforcement's actions, noting the coordinated and professional response, and the importance of balancing First Amendment rights with public safety.
- ð As the situation developed, some protesters began to disperse, with local social justice leader Ramone Obey urging the crowd to go home for safety reasons.
- ð OSU administration stated that established university rules prohibit camping and overnight events, and that protesters had been given ample time to exercise their First Amendment rights before being asked to disperse.
- ð The protest was part of a broader series of demonstrations happening across the United States, with students and community members expressing concerns about various social and political issues.
- ð It was noted that not all individuals present were affiliated with OSU, and there was a mix of students and community members participating in the protest.
- ðš Law enforcement's primary goal appeared to be ensuring that the crowd dispersed peacefully and that there was no further trespassing on university property.
Q & A
What was the initial reason for the gathering at the Ohio State University campus?
-The initial reason for the gathering was for people to protest and demand that the university divest from companies they believe are supporting Israel's war.
At what time did law enforcement start to disperse the crowd?
-Law enforcement started to disperse the crowd at exactly 10:00 PM.
What was the reported behavior of the police towards the protesters?
-The police were reported to have been aggressive, moving in on the group, making arrests, and physically addressing the group, which included the removal of tents and people being put in handcuffs.
What was the response from the protesters when law enforcement started to disperse the crowd?
-The protesters were initially unyielding, with some resisting the police's attempts to disperse them. However, later on, some protesters, including a local social justice leader named Ramone, encouraged the crowd to go home for safety reasons.
Were there any reports of the use of force such as taser weapons by the police?
-There were claims of people being tased, but the university has stated that there are no reports of such incidents occurring.
What was the role of Ramone in the situation?
-Ramon Obe, a local social justice leader, played a significant role in encouraging protesters to disperse and go home to avoid further conflict and ensure safety.
What was the university's stance on the protest and the law enforcement's actions?
-The university stated that well-established rules prohibit camping and overnight events, and after demonstrators were given multiple warnings to disperse, those who refused were arrested and charged with criminal trespass.
How did the situation evolve over time?
-The situation evolved from a peaceful protest to a more tense scenario with law enforcement moving in to disperse the crowd, making arrests, and eventually breaking up the encampment of tents.
What was the final outcome for the protesters?
-The final outcome was that the protesters were largely dispersed, with some choosing to leave following the advice of protest leaders like Ramone, while others were arrested by law enforcement.
Were there any reports of injuries or more serious use of force beyond the arrests?
-The script does not provide clear information on injuries or more serious use of force beyond the arrests and the removal of protesters from the tents.
What was the reaction of the community and the university to the protest?
-The reaction was mixed, with some expressing support for the protesters' cause and others, including the university administration, taking a stance against the violation of campus rules and the need for law enforcement intervention.
Outlines
ðš Police Approach Protest Group for the First Time
In the opening scene, the speaker describes a tense situation where a group of people has set up tents in the middle of a circle, surrounded by others. Police, who had previously warned the group from a distance, are now moving closer for the first time. The speaker mentions an attempt to cross the street safely as police sirens are heard in the background. The police are seen moving the group away, with some resistance from the protesters. There is an apology for any profanity heard during the live segment, and the speaker notes that this is the first time the police have approached the group physically.
ð Police Attempt to Disperse the Crowd
The second paragraph details the police's efforts to disperse the crowd. Law enforcement from various agencies, including the CPD highway patrol and state troopers, are present. The speaker walks around the circle, providing a view of the events. There is a mention of the group's attempt to hold a prayer session amidst the chaos. Police are seen pushing people, with some being handcuffed and arrested. The speaker emphasizes the escalating nature of the event, which is unfolding live, and the difficulty in discerning the police's exact demands from the noise.
ð€ Police and Protesters Engage in Dialogue
In this segment, the speaker notes that police are not being aggressive and are instead having conversations with people in the crowd. There have been a few arrests, and the speaker attempts to move around the circle for a better view. The police are seen trying to move the crowd, with the speaker and their team trying to maintain a safe distance. The speaker interviews an Ohio State instructor who expresses concern over the police's actions and the university administration's response to the protest, which they describe as a show of force.
ð Protesters Call for University Divestment
The focus of the protest becomes clear in this paragraph, with the protesters demanding that the university divest from companies they believe are supporting Israel's war efforts. The speaker discusses the goals of the protest and the emotions of the participants. There is mention of an earlier arrest during the day and a continued police presence. The speaker also discusses the challenges of reporting live from the scene amidst the noise and confusion.
ð« OSU Campus Tensions Rise as Protest Continues
The tension on the OSU campus continues to rise as the protest persists. The speaker describes the scene with law enforcement agencies moving in to disperse the group that has been gathered all day. There is mention of multiple arrests, and the speaker attempts to get closer to the action while maintaining safety. The university's rules against camping and overnight events are cited, and the speaker discusses the protesters' desire to be heard and the university's response to their demands.
ð¢ Live Coverage of a Tense Protest Situation
The speaker provides live coverage of the tense situation at OSU, where a large group of demonstrators has been present throughout the day. Law enforcement agencies, including various state patrols, have moved in to get the group to disperse. The speaker recounts the events since 10:00 PM, noting the multiple arrests and the attempts by law enforcement to manage the crowd. The goal of the protesters to have their voices heard is emphasized, and the speaker discusses the challenges of reporting in such a dynamic environment.
ð Law Enforcement's Response to the Protest
The speaker discusses the law enforcement perspective on the situation, with a retired sheriff providing insight. The coordinated effort of the agencies is highlighted, and the importance of balancing First Amendment rights with the need for crowd control is emphasized. The sheriff notes the professionalism and control shown by the law enforcement officers. The speaker also mentions the challenges of communicating in the midst of the chaos and the need for a clear path for people to leave the area.
ð Global Attention on OSU Protest and Police Response
The speaker discusses the global attention the protest and the subsequent police response at OSU have garnered. The protesters' message regarding divestment from companies supporting the Israeli cause is reiterated. The speaker also talks about the reactions of the protesters to the police's actions, with some accusing the police of using excessive force and violating their rights to peaceful protest and assembly. The ongoing attempts by law enforcement to disperse the crowd are described, with the speaker noting the challenges of navigating the situation as a reporter.
ð¢ Protesters and Police in a Standoff at OSU
The situation at OSU is described as a standoff, with protesters demanding the university divest from certain companies and law enforcement attempting to disperse the crowd. The speaker details the police's efforts to clear the area around the Ohio Union, with some protesters being arrested for criminal trespassing. The speaker also discusses the university's statement on the matter and the ongoing tensions as the crowd begins to disperse under the guidance of protest organizers.
ð Dispersal of the Crowd and Continued Police Presence
The crowd begins to disperse following the advice of protest organizers, with law enforcement continuing to maintain a presence to ensure the area is cleared. The speaker notes the difficulty in determining which law enforcement agencies are involved, but identifies the Ohio State Highway Patrol as being present. The university's rules regarding camping and overnight events are reiterated, and the speaker discusses the protesters' claims of police aggression and the desire for their voices to be heard.
ð€ Attempts to De-Escalate the Situation
The speaker discusses the attempts to de-escalate the situation, with local social justice leader Ramone Obe urging protesters to go home for their safety. The focus shifts to ensuring that people leave safely, with law enforcement continuing to monitor the situation. The speaker also talks about the training law enforcement officers receive in de-escalation techniques and the efforts to balance free speech with maintaining public safety.
Mindmap
Keywords
ð¡Protest
ð¡Law Enforcement
ð¡Arrest
ð¡Criminal Trespassing
ð¡Divest
ð¡First Amendment Rights
ð¡University Administration
ð¡Peaceful Assembly
ð¡Dispersion
ð¡Solidarity
ð¡Freedom of Speech
Highlights
Throughout the night, people have been bringing in water, food, and tents to support a group that has set up tents in the middle of a circle on the OSU campus.
The police have moved from their initial position and are now closer to the group, with sirens heard in the background.
Law enforcement has given motions for the crowd to leave, warning of potential arrest if they do not comply.
This is the first time in the last 78 hours that police have approached the group, attempting to move them in a different direction.
Police are seen physically addressing the group for the first time, with officers trying to engage in conversation with group members.
The group has grown significantly since earlier observations, with police asking media and bystanders to move back for safety.
There are reports of three arrests earlier in the day during an active protest in the same area.
A prayer session is taking place in the middle of the circle, with people holding hands around them in solidarity.
Law enforcement is attempting to arrest individuals, with two people reported to be in handcuffs and one woman being dragged away.
An instructor at Ohio State expresses concern over the police escalation and the arrest of students during what they describe as a peaceful protest.
The police are seen removing tents and arresting individuals who were praying inside, escalating the situation with forceful actions.
There is a coordinated effort among multiple law enforcement agencies to disperse the crowd and enforce campus rules regarding camping and overnight events.
A statement from Ohio State University emphasizes that established University rules prohibit camping and overnight events, leading to the instruction for demonstrators to disperse.
Despite the law enforcement's efforts to disperse the crowd, protesters and community members remain engaged in the area, with some calling for divestment from companies supporting Israel's war.
The situation on the OSU campus is part of a larger wave of protests happening at college campuses across the country in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
A local social justice leader and other organizers are urging protesters to go home to ensure safety and avoid further escalation with law enforcement.
Law enforcement is focused on ensuring a peaceful dispersal of the crowd while respecting First Amendment rights, with an emphasis on avoiding violence and vandalism.
Transcripts
now throughout the night I have seen
people bringing in water food tents so
that Circle that we just showed you
there is a group of people surrounding
folks who are actually in the middle the
folks who are in the middle have set up
tents and that's what that's where
they're sitting so as this progresses
you're going to have to bear with us
here as we watch this all unfold so
we're going to try to cross the street
safely if you want to stay with us it
looks like police have now moved from
where they were further down the street
they're now it looks like they and you
hear sirens rolling there have been a
few instances in the last 5 10 15
minutes where police have given these
folks a few motions to leave so they're
telling them to leave or they are and
will be subject to arrest we're going to
give you a listen to this real quick
take a listen here your final war the
area immediately you are to go to
College Avenue you can see officers now
moving in so this this is happening now
for the first time in the last 78 hours
you see officers approaching the group
this is the first time police have
approached the group we're going to stay
with you live as this is happening
officers it looks like they're trying to
move the group in a different direction
of course we want to get out of the way
so we are safe they're moving closer
towards the group we're going to move
with them as they get towards the group
leave if you want to take a listen we're
going to let this run for just a second
take a
[Music]
[Applause]
listen again like I said this group has
gotten significantly bigger since we saw
it earlier police are asking us to move
back so that's what we're going to do
we're going to stay back so they can
have a second to address the
group there are lights there are Sirens
again
this is not this has not happened
throughout the course of the day this is
the first time we are seeing police
physically address the group up until
this point we've only heard them address
the group from afar asking them to leave
and this is how they've stayed
throughout the evening so again I'm
going to give you another listen as to
what's happening
[Applause]
I do want to apologize for any
profanities that you may hear over the
course of this live segment again I want
to apologize for any profanity that you
may hear over the course of this live
segment we are now standing in front of
police our cameras are right in front of
police you can hear people
screaming we're going to let that run
for just a second
again I want to apologize for any
profanities that you will hear over the
course of this live
segment so it seems as if police are
looking for a way to move the crowd
again we are in front of police they
have asked us to move and that's what we
have done so now we're just kind of
watching as this unfolds I'm not too
sure from my angle what they are going
to ask the crowd to do at this point it
looks like they're just surrounding them
looks like officers are trying to talk
to the talk to the group I see an
officer a trooper um talking to one of
the group members it looks like they're
having a nice conversation as to what
will happen next again we're going to
let this roll for just a second so you
can hear and see what I'm seeing
[Music]
again I want to make a note that this is
the first time police have physically
walked up to the group and addressed
them in this manner there have been
multiple times throughout the day or the
course of the evening excuse me uh
police have asked the folks who are
gathered right in the middle of the
grass here to leave now again we have
had crws here throughout the day earlier
this afternoon I believe it was three
people who were arrested during an
active protest right here in this area
of Campus that you're looking
at we're going to take another walk
around the
circle maybe we can get closer inside so
you can see what we're seeing as I had
mentioned let let them let
them let them let them PR let them let
them let them
PR we're trying to zoom in here so you
can see the group in the middle looks
like they are trying to have a prayer
session and the folks in front are
holding hands giving them a second to do
that let
them we're going to continue to move
around the circle so you can see what's
happening
CP and as for law enforcement we've seen
CPD highway patrol is
[Music]
here state troopers state highway patrol
is
[Applause]
here we're going to take another walk
around here so we have now done a full
lap around the circle and as I have just
learned in the last few seconds that the
folks in the middle are trying to have a
prayer session it looks like police are
trying to either move them get in the
middle of the group my photographer is a
little taller than me so you'll have to
bear with me as I try to narrate this
for you as it's
[Music]
happening there's a lot of screaming a
lot of shouting it's really difficult to
figure out what people are saying so I'm
going to give you a second to digest and
listen for yourself
if you can hear that right now IM
proceed
Toge e High Street they're pushing
people it looks like police do have
somebody on the ground it looks like
someone is now being put in handcuffs we
have have two people two people now
we're getting that live we have one
woman being dragged Away by officers
right now there is also someone on the
ground who is in
handcuffs this seems to be the first two
arrests of the night they are dragging
that woman down absolutely sorry officer
thank you we've been asked to back away
and that's what we're doing at the
[Music]
moment again hear a lot of shouting and
some profanities I want to again
apologize to viewers if you hear any
profanity on this live
stream you can
see this person on the ground officers
trying to get this person up this looks
and seems to be the second arrest of
this evening not to mention the folks I
had talked about earlier there were
three people who were arrested earlier
in throughout the day and it's not clear
whether they are students here or not
[Music]
we're still going to roll on this and
try to get as close to the crowd as
possible but again we're trying to make
sure that we also follow the law and
listen to officers as they ask us to
move
[Music]
back
[Music]
the you can see as officers are trying
to push the crowd I'm not I can't get
close enough to tell you exactly what is
happening it's just increasingly getting
louder as more officers show up and more
people surround the
group officer is giving this warning
again
immed to College Avenue to East 12
Avenue East on East 12 the High
Street again you heard that warning
we're watching as officers I see another
person being arrested so that is three
by my count as of this evening 10:00 at
night almost 10 minutes into our show
and this is we've watched again I have
to tell you this is not how it was
throughout the day just as our show
started at 10:00 tonight is when all of
this is
unfolding we're trying to zoom in here
we you can see officers you can see
people so it's just a mix of folks not
trying to we can't tell where they're to
push them you did hear them ask folks to
go to Cleveland
[Music]
[Music]
AB you can hear the chanting we're going
to let you hear that for a
[Music]
second in the middle of this Circle
there are people inside tents in their
encampment this is how it's been
throughout the day and you have folks
surrounding the circle holding on to
each other trying it seems like they're
trying to keep police from getting
inside again police have
not seem to be aggressive with anybody I
see them having conversations with folks
In This Crowd to be clear I've seen a
few arrests thus far
[Music]
[Music]
we're going to zoom in slowly in here
again we're going to try to make our way
around the circle but there's not much
that we can see at this point from this
Angle now we do have another camera here
as well um we're trying to get more
angles from each side of the
circle as more police show up it seems
like they are spread out across this
group at this
point again I want to give you a second
to listen to what is happening
here
a you that's okay I have to have space
to you can hear that warning
again I want to corre myself I said
Cleveland Avenue but I meant to say
College Avenue I apologize they are
asking people to go towards College
Avenue it looks like officers are trying
to forcefully move the
crowd we're trying to get as close as
possible without um getting hurt
[Applause]
[Music]
ourselves again I'm trying to let this
roll out for you so you can watch it as
we are seeing it ourselves again this is
South oval at C on
campus sorry I just got shoved trying to
give myself a safer space so I can talk
to you clearly
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
you can see as more officers Pile in it
looks like again they're trying to move
the crowd in a different
[Music]
direction we're going to try to move
around here and see if we can get people
you a highight say here you highight
Patrol n out of here
[Music]
High trying to give you a second to
listen
in we're now covering this live protest
demonstration as police have moved in on
the OSU campus South oval tonight we
have photographer Mike Jones and
reporter Stephanie Dee on the scene Mike
is giving you these images now as police
talk to the demonstrators at least those
on the Outer Perimeter Mike if you can
hear us uh maybe Stephanie can talk with
some folks there and find out what they
conc is tonight and what the police and
law enforcers are telling
[Music]
them not leave your to
arrest we're going to try to take
another walk around the circle to see if
there's
anybody that has walked further away
that has
[Music]
hey guys can you tell me how you're
feeling in this moment I work with um
I'm an instructor here at Ohio State and
I'm really disturbed by the just
violence the police escalation um I've
had students arrested there have been
other Stu Ohio State alums that have
been arrested um at other
campuses this is just an incredible show
of force from the University and this is
direct from the administration sicking
CPD on their students and I don't
understand it because this has been
nothing but peaceful I've been here all
day and how long have you been
affiliated with the school I've been
here since 2012 so I've been coming to
these kinds of protests for 12 years and
I've never seen this sort of police
escalation before um it's very extreme
and it seems like that you know they've
left you alone throughout the day and
this is the first time that we've really
seen them come towards the group so have
they tried
to and can you tell us what's happening
in the middle of the circle praying ASA
which is the last prayer of the day and
they decided to come and Ambush and try
and get in the middle of the group while
they're praying our pray while they're
praying a prayer did did arrest three
people earlier today there were some
students that were arrested for sitting
on this lawn this is our Green Space
where students on nice days camp out and
it's ridiculous that we can't have a
similar sort of uh affair with a message
uh if that message is is an affront to
the university in some way and it seems
like they're trying to push the crowd
into a different direction have they
have they told you why they're trying to
you know push you in a different
direction or where they're trying to
push you they say that students are
criminally trespassing at their own
University and I don't understand how uh
that's possible when uh the majority of
the people here are enrolled at this
school as
students and how does it oh my
gosh all right all
right it's all right someone was just
pulled to the ground it looks like
police are making another
arrest they have arrested a handful of
people at this time you just heard from
an instructor who said she's been here
for many years and did not anticipate
this outcome tonight the folks who are
police are not pulling the tent they're
going to try to pull people out of the
tent you can see police tearing it apart
it looks like they're trying to get
folks who were inside the tent out of
the tent and as you just heard they were
in the middle praying is what we were
just
told and in those moments you saw
police rip a few people to the ground
and they are under arrest I see them
being put in handcuffs at this
moment we're going to get in closer here
as close as we can so we are number one
safe number two do not get pushed to the
ground ourselves
stephaniee live there on the campus of
Ohio State as protests continue at this
hour Stephanie if you can hear us we
know that there have been instructions
given throughout the day you're watching
this unfold just as we are Stephanie
what have the police shared with this
group about the deadline they are giving
them at this point because sorry
communication is going to be difficult
is very loud over here there's a lot
going on I'm trying to watch my body
other people around me listening to
officers instructions um police are
asking people to move towards College
Avenue so they're trying to again I'm
trying to figure out where they're
trying to move the crowd specifically I
did try to ask someone who said she had
a conversation with one of the officers
and they don't really know what's
happening I think from what I'm seeing
this is escalating to a point where
people are just being ared now people
are being put in cuffs I'm not sure
where they're trying to push the crowd I
think they're trying to disperse people
but again they have asked people to
leave and go to go towards College
Avenue seeing more people being pulled
almost yanked out of the crowd they are
also being um arrested again I'll have
to apologize it's really hard to hear
you guys um but if you want to try to
ask any more questions I know I have my
photographer here with me maybe we can
both um try navigate that
together College Avenue and High Street
I believe is what he just said we're
trying to get as close as possible of
course without getting her ourselves
there's a lot happening in this
moment to arrest they're telling people
they are subject to arrest if they do
not leave
now we've heard that same sentence I
would say quite a few times since we've
been here throughout the night Stephanie
I want to ask ask you another question
as you've been speaking with protesters
tonight have they given you any idea for
their specific goal of their protest
[Music]
tonight and as for protest goals you
know they just want themselves you know
to be heard I believe you know earlier
we were talking to folks out here who
had said they you know they have um you
know issues here with the university and
um you know things that they don't
really oh I apologize I just got pushed
again I'm trying to get to a better
space so I can sit and speak with you
again the goal as I was trying to say is
for their voices to be heard I talked to
quite a few people tonight who said they
just want people to know you know how
they feel in this moment in this time
this um there's a lot of high intense
emotions here and it's been like that
throughout the course of the
day Stephanie are you seeing anybody
obeying the order
toally seen anybody from the group
specifically leave um there are people
surrounding campus right now here south
oval um kind of watching everything as
it happens from a distance um but when
it comes to people who are specifically
in this circle that we have had our
cameras on for hours and hours
throughout the course of the day no they
have not um I have not seen them um
I just saw somebody Chuck or throw a
water bottle full of
water
not again I want to apologize it's hard
to communicate with um all of the
noise we're trying to wiggle ourselves
in here so we can show you what we're
seeing of course you know abiding by
what police have asked us to
do I want to apologize for any
profanities that you may hear on this
live
stream there is a higher power as my
photographer stays there though I am
going to take a walk
[Music]
around I'm also you know I'm going to
take a a second to um re convene with my
photographer so Bob and staa I'm going
to give you uh the floor for a second um
so I can take a walk around and just
kind of regroup
myself all right if you're just joining
us here this is a very tense situation
that's been unfolding since the top of
the hour since 10:00 almost to Sharp uh
on the OSU campus South oval near the
union where a large group of
demonstrators has been all evening all
afternoon all day in fact and at 10:00
tonight uh various law enforcement
agencies moved in and are trying to get
the group to disperse and at this hour
we've seen multiple people taken into
custody we are watching this very
closely because at this point it appears
that law enforcement are working to
disperse the crowd they're moving in
they are pulling some people out and the
students and we heard from an instructor
there on site saying they are trying to
pray they are trying to get their
message across and at this hour it does
not appear that the two groups police
the law enforcement as well as the
protesters have reached any kind of
agreement on what we're going to do
going forward here as we can tell
there's a the group is sort of dis set
up in a circle uh there was a middle
area where some protesters in tents were
located and the staa said there was a
the word that they were praying with the
tents in that center part protected by
row after row of demonstrators uh the
police just moved in or one of the
agencies probably the state patrol they
seem to be the most numerous moved in
and began to haul the tents out and take
the people out of the tents just moments
ago and here again the situation
escalating again another person being
taken to the ground presumably to be
arrested we want to go back to our
Stephanie depre live within the crowd
now Stephanie what are you
seeing yeah Bob and sta I have a a
better ear on you now you know in the
last maybe I don't know 10 minutes I
think we've seen about maybe six or
seven people taken to the ground and
arrested
so we're looking at one of those arrests
right now actually we're standing in
front of a line of officers that have
asked us to be further away from the
crowd at this moment so if you want to
take a look and we're going to try to
zoom in I'm going to move around
here we're zooming in on that arrest
happening at this moment we're going to
take a
walk now again the group as police are
running right into the CC you can we're
trying to give you a better vision of
this happening very intense moments here
tonight again as you heard from that
Professor I just spoke to earlier
instructor she said she did not
anticipate this to happen tonight or be
at this type of degree um I will I do
want to say that you know three people
were arrested this afternoon of course
throughout the day again there's way
more being arrested tonight but you know
we when we got here we had FES here all
day but when I got here personally I
heard police maybe address the crowd I
would say one or two times asking them
to leave and again it has been several
hours right at 10:00 right at 10:00 as
we started as I had said to you this is
what started happening at 10:00 right on
the dot and this is what we've seen
happen since so we're watching police
again trying to move the crowd in a
different direction I'm not too sure I
just need a clear path out of here clear
path got it absolutely that's again
police asking us to make a clear path
for people either who want to leave or
and again as we're seeing right now
another person being arrested someone is
on the ground they're arresting people
we're going to zoom in here so you can
see this
happening someone else on the ground
being arrested Now by my count that is
about seven there's another one eight so
they are arresting people as they go
there are folks hanging on tight to that
Circle and again as we had said the
folks in the middle were intense and
they were trying to pray is what I was
told asking again us to leave a clear
path I'm being shugged right now so give
me a second to get back on my feet here
hold
on asking us to back up which is what we
will
[Music]
do we're going to let Stephanie get to a
a space that right now might be a little
a little calmer while we continue to
cover what's happening on the OSU campus
again we've been following this since
the top of the hour as law enforcement
moved in on protests there on campus as
protesters continue to voice their
concerns over the university they want
the university to stop doing business
with companies that they say support
Israel's war and that has been the cry
from protesters today for for the
University to divest from those
companies similar to the message being
spread at college campuses across the
country and what has been a very busy
day for protests uh this one peaceful
throughout the day and not to say that
it isn't peaceful now but obviously
tension's running very very high and the
pace of arrest seems to be picking up
here in the last few minutes as well we
talked with the instructor that uh o
Stephanie mentioned an OSU instructor
expressing her disapproval with this
response she was in fact dismayed and
could you could tell was angry at the
response saying after a dozen years of
watching protests on campus she'd never
seen a response uh this strong from law
enforcement and blaming the
administration for that and today even
we've seen this to be a growing issue
across the country on college campuses
as the semester is wrapping up in fact
today protests at Emery University in
Georgia Emerson College in Massachusetts
the University of Southern California
again campuses across the country seeing
protests similar to this tents being set
up encampments being set up Ohio State
hoping to avoid some of that with
protesting happening and it seemed
earlier today as protesters gathered
that the university had dispersed things
early on and then students and other
members of the community showed up today
at around 5:00 and this crowd has only
grown since then again the law
enforcement moving in precisely at 10:00
the backside of this circle as we
understand it right now appears to be
considerably calmer than the side where
our other camera is and where police are
removing the protesters and arresting
some of them but no real signs at least
from the views we've been able to see of
people actually leaving the scene and
here's a look at the other camera that
we have on the scene right now again
this is on the south oval right by the
Ohio Union we have a statement just in
from Ohio State University Benjamin
Johnson a spokesman saying at this hour
wellestablished University rules
prohibit camping and overnight events
demonstrators exercised their first
amendment rights for several hours and
were then instructed to disperse
individuals who refused to leave after
multiple warnings were arrested and
charged with criminal trespass again
that statement coming in from Ohio State
just in the last few moments so we
continue following this happening at
this hour on the C of Ohio State just
outside of the Student Union you can see
it there in the background tonight A
Crowd that has only grown since 5:00
this afternoon oh staia mentioning that
the protesters have been calling for the
University to divest Financial interests
in Israel and in areas companies that
are supporting the Israeli cause and
conflict with Palestine it turns out
we've discovered tonight that state law
prevents the University from from
divesting in Israel uh Ohio Revised Code
section 9.76 went into effect a couple
of years ago and even if it wanted to
the school isn't allowed to back out of
a deal because one group has a problem
with Israel it's called the anti-bds law
that's boycott divestment and sanctions
the change for this has to come from the
state house not from campus a reminder
again this is finals week OSU
Administration hoping to focus on Final
unless on scenes like this but again
this has been a growing concern
throughout the day as tensions have
risen on the OSU campus earlier this
week we did get a statement from
University president Ted Carter
indicating students would be allowed to
voice concerns wanting to hear student
concerns but disruptions to campus life
he said and violence would not be
tolerated and again you heard just
moments ago the state from Ben Johnson
with Ohio State indicating that
overnight events on campus would not be
allowed as well you know it's
interesting if you just from an audible
standpoint if you listen to the EB and
flow of uh the chanting and of the
outrage we seem to have found ourselves
at least right now in a bit of a lull
and the Troopers are no longer bringing
people out of the circle here and
arresting them have to maintain
hopefully maintain this calm for the
rest of the evening but uh we've seen
tensions rise very suddenly without much
warning so we'll just have to watch this
situation very close
to we continue following this at this
hour because it does not at this op at
this moment appear that things are
calming down even though things have
quieted down you can still see a number
of troopers on site we've seen other law
enforcement groups as part of this to
college Aven
situation we want to go back to our
Stephanie due who is live there with the
protesters tonight Stephanie what else
are you hearing at this hour and where
are you in relation to what we are
seeing yeah Bob and stasa yeah we are
right in the middle of it we are right
in the middle of what is happening and
as you said you know things are
escalating it is it seems like a lull
and it's quiet but that's not uh you
know not what's happening it looks like
the chanting has stopped for a brief
moment it's hard to get into the middle
of that Circle again trying to abide by
what police have asked us to do and
obviously you know we want to keep
ourselves safe but at this moment you
know people are are still the folks who
are on the outside of the circle again
are holding arms trying to you know
desperately protect the folks who are in
the middle and from what I was told um
while you guys um were speaking that
they are still trying to
pray and officers are still asking uh
law enforcement are still asking people
to leave um that does not seem to be the
case at this moment I wonder if we can
wiggle in here and see if we can get
anything from anybody else you know hey
how you guys doing how are you feeling
what is going on do you feel like you're
going to move at any moment um I don't
know just anxious I guess yeah and I
guess you know tell me you know why are
you here and what do you got what are
you
doing we're here to support Gaza as
everyone should
but if
people these people think that it's
terrible to stand then arrest
everyone for
standing are you a student here I'm not
going to comment on that okay and how
have you been here all day no only a
couple hours and can you tell us what is
happening in this moment and what is
happening in the middle of the circle
that we cannot see there is a prayer and
we are trying to protect these people
who are praying
but I guess the cops are against
pray and seeing police here how does
that make you
feel I mean this is what we expected but
I am okay with this I made this decision
because I believe in things and if
people believe in things then they need
to stand up because a lot of people are
not standing up
thank you very much we're going to oh
I've been asked to move by police I
believe I just got asked again so that's
what I'm going to do um they did let me
stand there to talk to that protester uh
for a second so I'm going to move in
this
[Music]
moment again increasing you know
tensions Rising here as you just heard
you know she didn't comment on whether
she was a student here or not um but she
did want to be here and stand in
solidarity with a group for something uh
you know that they believe in that's one
of the reasons that they're here to make
their voice
[Music]
heard
don't you can hear people getting
agitated you can hear things that people
are saying from either right next to me
across from me again we have Police
pulling somebody else out of the
circle if I can get around here I can
show you that they are um in fact being
[Music]
arrested we are watching what's
happening on Ohio State's campus at this
hour where protesters are are being
dispersed by law enforcement at this
hour joining us on on the phone right
now for perspective on the law
enforcement action being taken that we
are seeing as retired Delaware County
Sheriff Russ Martin joining us now
Sheriff we appreciate your time tonight
when you look at this scene happening
right now at Ohio State what do you see
from a law enforcement
perspective well my comments are only as
an observer but one who had 43 years of
experience in law enforcement and I will
tell you that um it's law enforcement
effort is coordinated tonight I'm sure
there was significant briefing uh in
advance as to what the objectives uh
would be and it would probably really
benefit if um one of your reporters
could locate you know a spokesperson for
law enforcement I um again I'm just
being a little bit presumptuous but I
suspect that the uh possibility of an
encampment or the tents could be
problematic and be a violation so
there's probably more to this than meet
the ey obviously as you look at this and
and the coordinated effort that it would
take based on the training that that you
have been through yourself and that you
see at play right now what are the key
points that you were looking at well I
think you've got multiple agencies
present which means that there's been a
uh you know it's been a coordinated
effort well in
advance uh there's been uh discussions
and planning I mean this is not
something that's halfhazard uh obviously
my perspective is from law enforcement I
think they're controlled they're
professional they've learned a lot
through the last couple years including
some of the uh riots that we saw in
previous years and I think this is uh uh
these are difficult circumstances you
want to U uh obviously honor the First
Amendment rights of those folks but
there's other issues that can uh require
law enforcement intervention and again
I'm just being presumptuous as an
observer but I would suspect that
there's a concern probably for the tents
and maybe uh you know the encampment but
again I think a law enforcement
representative on the scene somebody
who's a spokesperson could probably tell
you clearly what they're trying to
accomplish Russ what do you suspect I
know you're not there and but with all
of your experience what do you suspect
were the instructions for the law
enforcers as they moved in tonight from
their uh from their uh higher
ups well I there's there's always
discussion on the value of honoring the
Constitution and protecting People's
First Amendment rights you uh uh you
want to be uh while you're uh exhibiting
Force you want to be uh pragmatic and
consider it uh you could see that law
enforcement was trying to communicate
and talk to many of the folks that are
on this scen again that's an indication
of well-trained uh coordinated effort so
they're trying to communicate and uh but
the fact that they are you know moving
forward and I've seen some tents removed
there's probably uh you know some other
objective that they're trying to um
accomplish retired Sheriff Delaware
County Russ Martin joining us live on
the phone for perspective on the law
enforcement initiative what we are
seeing tonight on the campus of Ohio
State Sheriff thank you so much for your
time tonight we are checking back in
with our reporter Stephanie depre who
has been live on the scene tonight and
has been carrying us through taking us
through what's happening here from a
couple of different Vantage points so
Stephanie I know you are are in The Fray
there and you're getting shoved and kind
of
moved in this as well what can you tell
us about what you are seeing and what is
changing at this hour attention you're
under arrest for yes you know we're
again we have not moved we have been in
the thick of what is happening um since
really since since all of this started
and I do want to comment you know on on
we just heard from law enforcement from
that law enforcement's perspective you
know I I did want to reiterate that I
did touch base on how officers um you
know from what I'm seeing have handled
this situation again I have been here
for hours and I've watched as police
have asked the group or asked the group
to leave I heard it multiple times I
even even sent it out on social media
I've been tweeting about it all day just
showing that perspective from the group
to law enforcement group to law
enforcement so again I have been there
throughout the day and I have seen how
the group has acted and how law
enforcement has acted and at this point
and again as we heard from that law
enforcement perspective at some point um
in any type of situation as you can
imagine they would have to intervene and
that is what we're seeing at this pointr
criminal Tres sorry I just got pushed
again so I'm just going to thank you
Stephanie again we hear the law
enforcers uh calling out to the crowd
over the loudspeakers that they are
under arrest for criminal trespassing
and they have been hauling folks out of
that Circle it's a circle of folks
encircling a group that were in tents
that were told were inside the middle uh
praying some of the tents have been
removed we've had a good look inside
there now and in fact there are a number
of green tents in there and again some
people have been removed out of them and
some of the tents have been taken away
uh folks encircling it right now linking
arms in many cases and being told by the
long forcers who are staring them down
that they are going to be arrested and
we have seen several arrests now
probably as many as a dozen one of the
orders we heard earlier tonight from law
enforcement on scene saying you were in
violation of University space rules you
were subject to arrest under Ohio
Revised Code and for criminal
trespassing that's what we heard earlier
that was hours ago and law enforcement
has maintained their presence and then
at 10:00 that presence grew
exponentially and it seemed they were
working to disperse this crowd right
there at the top of the hour again
tensions high on the OSU campus tonight
along with many other campuses across
the country as students and protesters
call for the University to divest from
companies they believe are connected to
the Israel Hamas War we don't really
have a a good indication at this point
visually of just how many people if in
fact anybody has actually dispersed uh
as per the instructions from law
enforcers plenty of people still around
and continuing to chant and stare down
the law enforcement presence and there
are the tents some of them anyway they
were inside the middle of that ring want
to go back to a statement that
University president Ted Carter issued
earlier this week about the tensions
that they could Sense on campus that
were already rising and now we see these
protest here tonight that have grown
throughout the day part of the quote
that the president of Ohio state issued
earlier this week includes when
protected speech becomes incitement or
threats of violence Ohio state has and
will always move quickly to enforce the
law and University policy I will not
compromise on this again that is a quote
from president Ted Carter with Ohio
State from earlier this week in a
message that was sent to the university
body so potentially all students who are
here on site have received that
[Music]
message you can hear the students
chanting at this hour protesters I
should say because we know this is a mix
of students community members we heard
from an instructor earlier this hour and
our Stephanie Dee is there live as well
speaking with the people who are there
and what they want to say Stephanie what
do you continue to
hear yes we continue to hear uh the
chanting I'm trying to get into the
middle of the group here this is the
first time we're getting a look at the
Circle this close now I want to just say
you know the professor that we spoke to
maybe about a half hour ago I did see
police um arrest her so they are making
arrests as they make these comments I'm
going to try to get into the middle of
this circle here so we can
you know what I see one of our local
folks whom we
know get everyone everyone out we can do
that and then come back
[Applause]
tomorrow right now you're seeing State
oppression to the highest amount over
Palestinian people who are peacefully
protesting we're seeing nothing but
aggression from the police officers here
on osu's campus they were aggressive
early in the morning arresting multiple
students and now they're doing so in the
most violent violent way possible
destroying a peaceful encampment person
praying and they
ripped happening inside of
the inside of
the's no one of the at the moment um
but they were they were arresting people
and assaulting people while they praying
they ripped off a woman
[Applause]
hij which is uh totally against the
rules they criminalized protests on
college campuses and they're doing this
Nationwide doing it here in the largest
university in the United States hearing
from you guys know directly know feel
like your voices were hard at all today
not by the administration but by the
community I think our voices are our
voices are being our voices are being
heard collectively throughout the nation
as a Glo through the world as a global
movement students uh around the country
around the world are being heard and
there uh this is being commented on in
Israel in Palestine across the world
everyone is seeing this everyone is
seeing the way um the United States
shift straight towards authoritarianism
the same way they did during the Vietnam
war the same way they've done through
our uh black people protesting for their
Liberation in
2020 did you have something you want to
add I'm sorry I completely agree with
yes and has been saying we've seen
nothing but strong repressive tactics
being used by OSU Administration it took
them forever to just acknowledge the
right of life of a Palestinian person
here and Palestinian students on this
campus have always been uh under the
abuse for Optics of OSU admin so uh what
you're seeing right now is literally a
peaceful protest a peaceful Gathering
there was no ill will intent there's
some tents there was some food there was
some water and what you're seeing right
now is a complete overreaction by police
where they're ripping people's hijabs
off they're uh violently arresting
people people have been tased they've
been threatening violence this entire
day and to see you as a familiar face
here you know we've seen you throughout
the community and now we see you here at
OSU on campus I want to ask I did see
officers Troopers talking to protesters
before this happened so I want to ask
throughout the course of the day has
anyone a part of this group walked up to
law enforcement and told them what I
mean I just want to ask as out of
curiosity there were multiple
conversations multiple attempts of
conversations and when those
conversations were attempted to be had
officers were not willing to listen to
students admin avoided every
conversation possible with students and
that's what has led to this result here
so there was an attempt by students but
not by
admin got it and at this point have you
been told you know are they trying to
push the crowd in this direction do you
know like what what is the point of this
why are they lined up over there have
you heard anything I have not heard
anything at all I would assume it's just
a way to confuse people I would assume
it plays into their tactics I do not
know why they're trying to uh uh Force
violence on people but that's exactly
what they have been doing and I assume
you guys are going to continue to stay
here uh for the rest of the night it
looks like your tents are destroyed the
tents the the tents are destroyed our
Spirits are not we're actually going to
move people out of here because the
officers have been so incredibly violent
we know we have to leave in order to
protect our community and that's our
biggest goal is protecting our community
making sure that their voices are heard
we believe that their voices have been
heard today as problems have been raised
and people's Consciousness has been
raised
and anybody can see the amount of
violence that people are going through
here right now at OSU thank you very
much I appreciate it thank you Bob St
you know as you guys you know I'm just
hearing now we got right into the middle
of the circle we've been trying to get
in this specific space for hours the
entire day so I want to toss it over to
you guys for a second so maybe we can
readjust and regroup uh so we don't get
um ourselves in a in a situation okay
Stephanie to pray live on Ohio State's
campus at this hour where tensions
continue to escalate there outside of
the Student Union the Ohio Union there
where protesters have been gathered
throughout the day but just in the last
few hours things have really grown in
this space as far as tension as far as
numbers of protesters as they continue
to ask Ohio State to divest from
companies they believe
support the war between Israel and Hamas
you can see the collection of tents that
have been uh ripped up by law enforcers
some of them destroyed people actually
taken out of them earlier here the law
enforcement moving in at exactly 10:00
tonight coming in lines and moving to
this large Circle multi rows of folks
encircling this encampment of green
tents and again as Stephanie Dee just
pointed out she's finally made it into
the inner ring of that and we see the
collection of tents that's since been
destroyed a protester noting that the
world is watching us college campuses
many of which have had protests
throughout the day today and decrying
what he called an overreaction by law
enforcers in breaking up what he called
this peaceful protest that have been
going on day at
OSU just in the last half hour we
received a statement from Ohio State
about what's happening here tonight on
campus Benjamin Johnson spokesperson
shared with us earlier wellestablished
University rules prohibit camping and
overnight events demonstrators exercised
their first amendment rights for several
hours and were then instructed to
disperse individuals who refused to
leave after multiple warnings were
arrested and charged with criminal
trespass and again you can see a large
law enforcement presence on campus at
this hour you can see there is a seal
right there on the the a patch there for
the Ohio State Highway Patrol who has a
large presence here tonight but this
appears to be a coordinated law
enforcement effort among multiple
agencies at times it is difficult to
determine which agencies are on site
right now but it does appear that the
highway patrol are in control of this
situation or are leading the situation
at this hour protester just telling our
Stephanie de pre that he was going to
try to be part of an effort to move
people out and avoid violence but we're
seeing no signs of movement toward
College Avenue from the south oval which
is what law enforcement is trying to
make happen here trying to get these
folks to disperse and move toward
College Avenue but again we don't see
any movement at least from this group at
this point and this is what we have seen
across the country it is not just Ohio
State where protests like this have been
happening even today from coast to coast
we've seen schools with protesters on
site and we've been following this again
from coast to coast as we continue to
follow protests regarding the Israel
Hamas War
criminal we want to go to Stephanie to
pray live for us now where we are
checking in on her perspective and what
she is seeing at this hour
Stephanie we were in the middle uh of
that Circle and we've actually made our
way out and again yes so that uh who I
was speaking to Ramon obey he is a uh a
local uh a local guy that we have talked
to many times you know he comes out to
event
like this to help um help protesters
help you know talk with police you know
as you just heard him say he is also
trying to help move the crowd in a
different direction it looks like that
is it's trying to happen um not all the
way there yet but this we have moved you
know the circle has now been completely
detached um I can you can see Ramone
right now I don't know if we can see him
in there but you can see him in the
middle of the circle right now with
police telling people to move back
asking them to move back so you can see
we are now caught up in the middle of
the circle so give me a second to maybe
get to a safe space so I can get out of
here so I can narrate to you what I'm
seeing so I don't get pushed
over all right as I just heard you know
Ramone you can you can hear him take a
listen we're moving this
way now the group I'm going to step out
of frame here
proceed to College Avenue the group
seems to be moving to College Avenue at
least that's the direction that we're
going now officers
following as you just heard um Ramone
asking the crowd to move with him it
looks like that is what is happening in
this
moment so we're going to let you take a
look and see what is happening we're
going to walk more toward towards the
union we're going to try to get out of
the grass for a
moment all right so at this
point oh here I'm going to take a look
this
way telling people to go home so Ramone
has just made a comment to another
protester and asked them to communicate
to others and ask them to go home for
the night just to make a note that this
is what happens on OSU campus when
peaceful protesters attempts to practice
their freedom of speech and their
freedom of assembly this is how the
university reacts it sends Riot troopers
on us students who pay to go to school
can I have your first and last name and
are you a student here I am not a
student but I came with students my name
is Muhammad Mustafa and I came here with
the SJP to join them in this Gaza
encampment to stand in solidarity with
Palestinians fighting against genocide
and calling this University to divest
from death and call calling this
University to divest from Israeli
corporations that are profiting off of
the death of Palestinians in Gaza and
this is the reaction we get violent
police officers ripping the hijabs off
of peaceful protesters trying to assault
peaceful Palestinian worshippers who
were praying they were pushing in on us
and barricading us their their legs were
on our arms as we were praying this is
how we we we get treated for simply
expressing our freedom of assembly and
freedom of speech at the Ohio State
University University this is what the
university does to students to Peaceful
protesters and to concerned community
members instead of being an institution
that promotes Higher Learning and
promotes Justice inequality and Equity
they are cracking down on their students
who are standing up for what is right
and they are attacking them and doing a
mass arrest campaign against college
students and this is a symbol for what
is happening greater in our world that
the forces of evil and the forces that
are standing to profit off the genocide
of Palestinians are continuously
cracking down as their last Gras of
power I appreciate you speaking with me
thank you very
much I seem to have lost my photographer
so I'm going to take a walk around and
see if I can find him but in the
meantime I'm just going to narrate to
you uh what I am seeing so I'm going to
take a walk around and see if I can
locate him it looks like police have
made this one
line I was able to find him so I'm going
to walk over this
way so it looks like police now the
circle again the CC
Circle there is no more
Circle police are all in one line if
your car is North you have to go out
through High Street I can hear
protesters talking to one another asking
them to move in a different direction
officers are moving forward okay hold on
it's all right it's all right it's all
right take I'm here I'm here I'm here
here all right all right I apologize for
the profanities I just got pushed give
me a second I apologize for the
profanities I just got pushed again I'm
trying not to fall over so you're seeing
what I'm seeing police are moving
everybody
forward I apologize if I sounded up
breath I'm trying not to get trampled by
people as police move people forward I'm
going to stand behind my photographer so
you can see what I can
see and as you see you know police are
moving people towards College D we're
going to head this way again you hear
people screaming officers have now
stopped but this is where they're
standing now pushing the crowd further
away from uh the
union we're going to let this kind of
Nar it out so you can hear what I'm
[Music]
hearing
street again you hear protesters right
now telling each other to go home at
this point I think I've heard it maybe
six or seven times times now um
especially some of the folks like again
those familiar faces that we have seen
again this is where police are standing
now I would if we can get the camera
down you can see how long that line is
you can see how many officers are
standing here now trying to keep people
away from the middle
um you can see if we can if we can if we
can get the camera to see all that trash
and everything in the middle you
can sorry I'm trying not to speak over
everybody else and also not trying to
scam people are now running oh my
God everything is okay we're okay
everything is okay we're okay people are
being tackled to the ground my
photographer and I are trying to be
careful so we don't get knocked over
ourselves I'm not sure what just
escalated this but people are now being
shoved even further down the street I'm
not really oh my God I apologize I wish
pushed
over we we're going to let Stephie get
to a safe a safe space for a moment
while we watch what is happening where
tensions have just escalated in the last
few moments and it as it appeared that
protesters were dispersing here on site
of the o Ohio State campus we know that
Ohio State Highway Patrol appears to be
leading the law enforcement effort we
can't see specifically what other
agencies are involved we've been looking
for comments on Twitter from CPD and
Ohio State Police and neither have
commented on the situation that is
happening on this campus at this hour
but again you can see this is a
coordinated effort among multiple law
enforcement agencies as they work to
disperse this group we've seen several
arrests in the last hour as troopers
moved in at around 10:00 we saw a very
specific effort to disperse the crowd at
that time and things have just escalated
from there yeah we we saw what would
appear to be a very positive development
as far as dispersing the crowd here uh
oh there's Stephanie we'll get back to
you oh Stephanie okay go ahead yeah
sorry no you were right there was a
positive development and I kind of just
want to um put myself on camera so I I
feel like you guys haven't really seen
me because I've been narrating what is
happening around me but we are okay at
this point I cannot tell you really what
just happened but I you as you saw for
yourself it looked like a few people
this while we're praying while we were
praying I hear
you again I wanted to get myself on
camera to show you that we are okay
again I'm not sure what just escalated
but something escalated and you saw it
for yourself so the crowd is still
moving in uh the direction I believe we
are completely no one is on the grounds
anymore so again I just wanted to kind
of just get myself on camera here
Stephanie you talked with the
demonstrator I believe his name is
Ramone and you knew him and he me
mentioned that he was going to try to
convince folks to move the way that the
uh the law enforcement is telling them
to move towards College to avoid
violence and he appeared to be having
some success it looked like the crowd
was in fact breaking up to a certain
degree before we saw that altercation a
moment
ago yeah Bob that's exactly right and
that's that's that's try that's what is
trying to happen at this point I think
you've been watching us move forward
maybe the last like five minutes I can't
really give you a specific direction in
which they're trying to to push the
crowd only because it's just one long
strip of officers but yes I did speak to
Ramon we have talked to him multiple
times so many times I throughout the
course of the year so again as these
protests happen again you know this was
not the scene earlier today this was not
the scene before 10:00 at night so a lot
of people that I spoke to said they are
surprised that this escalated to this
degree Stephanie can you describe to us
where you are because we we know you
were there in front of the Ohio Union
but where are you now can you describe
what we are seeing what intersection
that is attention you're under arrest
for Criminal Trespass you're sorry I
just had to take a second we are now on
the corner of College Road so we have
made our way not just me but everyone
who was here tonight we are now in the
middle of uh College roads so we at that
intersection literally right before the
union so you know we've moved I would
say significantly um but they're still
trying to push folks and again they just
wanted folks out of that area and they
just said go towards College Road and
that's where everybody is standing at
this moment so now we're just kind of
walking around with the crowd to see you
know what people are doing what they're
saying so that's kind of where we are
and here's a better vantage point of
what police is looking like so this is
the intersection this is the corner of
where we are on College Road this is uh
West 12th AV so take a look at what
police looks like now so you were seeing
police and an entire group together and
now they're just lining the street all
the way down so nobody can
trespass why are theying the
street um you'll have to I have no idea
why I just got here sorry
okay so Stephanie depe so as you just
heard some people are confused sure no
Stephanie Dee live for us tonight who's
been following this protest as it
continues on the OSU campus at this hour
and then Stephanie is there any idea how
many of the protesters you saw in that
group is there any way to know how many
of them were students because it seems
like the majority of the folks you
talked to were not actually affiliated
with the University or they were not
students you know what sta that's a very
good point and I actually meant to
address that um but there is again as
you can see a lot happening um I want to
say a lot of folks I was speaking to
today did say they are not students
however earlier I did get a chance to
speak to a student who is affiliated
with uh the university um she's
affiliated with one of the uh groups
here but most of them again and I can't
even honestly I feel like I can't even
give you a ballpark of a number because
the group um at least from earlier today
into tonight it just kind of kept
growing and growing and you can't at
this point you can't really tell the
difference from folks who were
affiliated with the protest and folks
who are kind of just standing by uh you
know watching as this all unfolds and
again you just heard you know someone
come up to me and she said hey what is
going on and it's a student she had a
backpack and you know a a laptop in her
hand and she's like what is going on so
it's really a mix out here so you know
I'm sorry I can't give you a specific
number or even gauge it for you sure no
I mean and that's part of what's so
confusing in this moment as as we speak
to what's happening on campus it doesn't
necessarily reflect that these are all
students or or all people affiliated
with the campus even at all Stephanie
are they haven't any success in getting
folks dispersed it looks like they are
but do you have a better Vantage
Point yeah Bob and you know you know
that's a yes and a no answer you know I
can't there's obviously a lot of people
spread out across the area at this point
and officers of police and law
enforcements is trying to make sure they
keep a steady line so people don't cross
into um you know the union south of the
oval the South oval area um it looks
like people are starting to leave slowly
but surely I've seen a few um you know
trickle out but again it seems like
people are just kind of standing here
and I don't really know at this point
what they're waiting for um I did I
actually just kind of saw Ramone walking
by across the street and it looks like
he's trying to you know get others to
help him communicate cuz I heard him say
it multiple times just everybody oh
there he is maybe we can go catch him
real quick give me a second and she is
speaking to Ramon obey a local social
justice leader connected to the Justice
unity and social transformation movement
and that's who has been serving as a bit
of an organizer for this effort on
campus today and Stephanie de has spoken
with him multiple times and looking to
connect with him right now about what's
happening in the goals of this hour
there's no other reason to be
here so what we are recommending as
organizers of the event to go
home it's the best thing that you can
do do not empty our bail fund because
you just want to be here for the moment
if we're not doing something in terms of
collective action it's not worth
it it's that simple I know some of
y'all's friends got arrested some some
of your loved ones got arrested but just
standing around is not going to change
that the best thing you can do is go
home in this
moment send that information to the bail
fund so we can bail them
[Music]
out it sounds like Veron have you had
any you know block trying to get people
that message across are people trying
you know trying to disperse what are you
seeing we've been trying to follow you
people are dispersing but the police
officers here have been ever aggressive
they have been following the people as
they have been dispersing uh and causing
more pain as they have stepped over
people destroyed the camp again and
again we're seeing officers be
ruthlessly aggressive towards people who
are just peacefully protesting and
Gathering here at OSU and it makes
absolutely no sense we're trying to see
if people are you know listening to you
and trying to get that message across
but why do you think folks are not
leaving cuz Palestine ain't
free and sometimes it's that
simple when you are an oppressed people
you going to stay in fight
and sometimes it hits that nice high
point where you just ain't going to
leave and you just ain't going to take
it no more and these some people who
ain't going to take it no more this is
people that's Fed Up This is a community
that's fed up we're tired of seeing this
we're tired of of being around these
police officers that are ever aggressive
and it makes absolutely no
sense and at this point in the night I I
guess you know what else are you going
to do now you're going to walk around to
each crowd I guess you know what what
are you going to do just as someone you
know we've been following you for years
now and we watch you when you show up to
these events and to be honest with you
this is not the first time that I have
seen you with a line of police behind
you when you were trying to help you
know i' I heard you in many different
facets tonight with protesters and
saying hey you know let's do this let's
calmly do this so you know what is next
for you tonight when it comes to talking
to complete strangers um and as we watch
you know the night progress my goal is
safety I want all my people to go home
and be safe that's always my number one
goal when we come out here we have the
right to peacefully assemble we have the
right to protest we have the right to
take up space but somehow some way these
officers seem to always be more
aggressive than they really need to be
which puts me in the position of going
around and telling folks that look look
we came together we did something
amazing we did something collectively
but it's time for us to leave so safety
is on my mind right now and just making
sure that people get home safe that's my
number one goal absolutely thank you
rone we appreciate
it again as you just heard from Ramone
you know he's going to walk around to
folks and and and talk to them about not
only what has happened tonight but what
he needs to do them in do in this moment
um again safety being that top priority
Bob and stacea do you have a second to
chime in here with me absolutely
Stephanie Dee live there speaking with
Ramone Obe who is a local social justice
leader and organizing one of the
organizers of today's tonight's protest
because there have been protests
throughout the day in this space there
next to the Ohio Union but it seems in
that 5:00 call for folks to gather
things really started to intensify and
by 10:00 tonight that's when we saw
Troopers move in in a coordinated effort
to disperse this crowd and so you are
looking at the dispersed crowd who they
have not left the area but they have
definitely left that green space area
that we saw next to the union this was a
much denser crowd uh even as little as
half an hour ago on the south oval it
was a large ring for the most part to
multiple uh layers deep in the middle of
which was a group of green tents that we
were told contained folks who were
praying and then the law enforcers moved
in and told the folks that they had to
go home uh and told them that they were
trespassing criminal trespassing in fact
and began to break up the crowd it it
actually took Ramone getting involved
here uh about a half an hour ago
imploring demonstrators to go home
before we actually saw some widespread
movement most of the folks moving to
warts College Avenue again right now
they are on the south west corner of or
Southeast Corner excuse me of College
Road and West 12th right by the Ohio
Union there the long line of police have
managed to get folks pretty much at
least the dense part of the the the
demonstration
dispersed they are still collected in
the area Loosely but there's a long line
of law enforcements right now keeping an
eye on folks making sure that they stay
on College Road and the West 12th area
but uh still many many uh remaining on
the scene at OSU here at 11:15 again
growing tensions throughout the day here
on Ohio State's campus but there have
been growing tensions across the country
at University campuses just like this
from coast to coast so you were looking
at the line of
officers from let's see that appears to
be it's hard to see who which university
which agencies yes Stephanie if you
would take us oh we before we go to you
Stephanie we want to go back to retired
Delaware County Sheriff Russ Martin
joining us on the phone now Russ at this
point when you see how the crowd has
mostly dispersed what is the goal of law
enforcement at this hour to to keep
things calmer as we see right
now well I I think that you're looking
at uh multiple open roadways and egress
obviously they'd like to see the crowd
now move on uh for the evening and uh
they've got the same concerns probably
they've had all day and that's you know
again making sure that people are in
compliance with the law that they're uh
complying with uh legal orders from law
enforce ment uh and request and uh you
know they'll probably uh stay there as
long as they need to but uh honestly uh
in about an hour's time I I think that
was a could have been a potentially much
more tense situation it looks like they
were uh well coordinated and well
trained and uh I'm sure people will be
afforded uh other opportunities for free
speech uh in that same area as um the
day unfolds tomorrow so it sounds like
that uh they were
probably just making sure that the uh
trespassing was uh
enforced well Russ there is a group and
you may be able to see this on your TV
there is a group still gathered there by
the buildings and the LA line of law
enforcers now moving toward
them looks like they're going to try and
get this group to move uh and again I I
I I'm only being presumptuous and uh you
know want to be very cautious you know
I'm sure that there were uh you know a
lot of uh pre-planning prior to this a
lot of discussions and uh you know now
you want to make sure there's no uh
vandalism uh you know as people leave
and there could always be a handful of
folks in the crowd that have uh ill
intent so law enforcement's probably
going to be concerned about protecting
uh property and other people as well so
you know those continue to do their job
as they've been trained to do now do
they stay on site throughout the night
is that protocol here or is it just a
caseby case basis well I I think you
know there are uh obviously leadership
is uh you know talking continuously
among themselves again it's a very
coordinated effort among several law
enforcement agencies and uh you know
they'll be making an assessment as time
goes on but uh anything I would say to
that would just be
presumptuous how much training do these
law enforcers receive as far as
deescalation is concerned well I think
uh in in recent years what we've seen
since uh 2020 there's been uh greater
efforts to uh train in this specifically
and I can't speak for these individual
agencies you know I've talked to them
uh periodically and I know it's a focus
of training you know these coordinated
effort so you know I think good
professional law enforcement agencies
are constantly evaluating uh what's been
done historically what's been successful
and what's not and um you know so this
training has has been ongoing and
honestly as an observer just from TV
these folks look like they've been
trained well and have done a good job
tonight retired Sheriff of Delaware
County Russ Martin joining us with
perspective on the law enforcement
protocol that we are seeing in action
tonight and our Stephanie depre there
and following how things are unfolding
at this hour Stephanie appears that
everyone including law enforcement
everyone's still on the
Move yeah s actually just two seconds
ago we were caught up behind police and
it took us a second to actually get back
in front of them cuz for a second they
wouldn't let us do that um I really
wasn't sure why but we finally made it
back in front of them and it seems like
they're trying to again push the crowd
even further uh Down College Road again
I'm not really sure where the end result
is supposed to be they're just trying to
get people I don't know off property
somehow is what I keep hearing is they
want people off property um so again
this line of officers as we were trying
to show earlier they're going to start
moving again so we're probably going to
move with them again folks are being
pushed further this way it seems like
people are moving you know at this point
they don't really have a choice you know
officers are kind of crowd control at
this point you know I I you know that's
that's what we're seeing that is exactly
what's happening right now and we're
going to walk with them Ramone I can see
is to the left of me and he is also
telling people you know let's go let's
keep it
moving we're trying to hear how they're
addressing the
crowd we are asking you to
disperse there's nothing that can be won
within this moment but arrest all right
go home organizers are asking you all to
please leave now please go to your cars
go to your dorms leave now I was like
ohmer student that's okay it's okay
again those are organizers of what um
you know this protest tonight telling
people to just leave to just go home at
this point some are listening some
aren't you know we're kind of walking
with the crowd as this happens and again
as we said earlier it's a mix of folks I
can't tell you who's a student and who's
not but I can tell you definitively that
it is a mix of people here tonight you
can hear them say give that warning
again proceed to College Avenue South on
College Avenue to 12th Avenue East on
12th Avenue to South on College Avenue
is what they're telling people or where
they're telling people to go if not back
to their dorms back to their cars or
back
home it is again it is uh almost you
know it's 11:20 we're 20 minutes into
our 11:00 show you know we have been out
here um for several hours throughout the
course of the day you know kind of
watching everything unfold from you know
these folks set up the that Circle at 4
a.m. this morning so that Circle that we
have shown you throughout the course of
the day and into the night they set that
up at 4:00 a.m. and that's how it's been
of course until you watched everything
unfold right in front of your eyes as
we've been carrying this live uh for
almost an hour and a half now here on
Fox 28 and ABC
6 Stephanie to pray live for us there on
campus and if you are just now joining
us we want to recap what has been
happening just in the last couple of
hours so we have been following the
situation of protesters gathering on
Ohio State's campus again as Stephanie
said a mix of some students some
community members we spoke with an
instructor who was there who was as we
heard later on taken into custody and
we've been following the situation as
law enforcement have arrived to disperse
the crowd now law enforcement has had a
presence there throughout the day but at
10:00 things really took a turn and this
is after several warnings we heard
warnings issued to the crowd of
protesters at approximately 7:30 for a
7:45 deadline to move out of the area to
clear out of the area that did not
happen another deadline was given and
again that did not happen so at 10:00 we
watched as law enforcement moved in
specifically Troopers who moved in
specifically to disperse this crowd and
we've been following live what's
happening there as we've been giving you
different Vantage points there of the
just the unfolding efforts there on
campus yeah shortly uh so they moved in
right at 10 o'clock as you pointed out
and there was a real standoff for the
first t 45 minutes anyways maybe even
longer than that uh close to an hour
nobody really going anywhere nobody
moving there were uh folks being
arrested hauled out of what was a giant
circle of multiple uh individuals deep
so four or five people deep all the way
around and in the middle of that was a
collection of green tents uh we were
told there were folks in there praying
and maybe a half an hour into the law
enforcement moving in on the crowd they
started to make arrest started to move
people then got into the middle of that
took the tents down and as you may have
seen a moment ago on the live camera a
lot of trash Left Behind they hauled
that all dispersed they hauled some
folks out made arrests we counted about
a dozen of those from our vantage point
there may have been more and then one of
the activists Ramon obey started to uh
tell folks go home disperse and that
actually seemed to be pretty effective
station so as we're watching this they
continue to disperse the crowd but as
you can see the crowd has not left the
area and they've been telling them to
move specifically down towards college
and they're moving them beyond that
space as well so they are no longer in
the vicinity of the Ohio Union but as
you can see still a heavy law
enforcement Presence at this hour and
it's been difficult to see which
agencies are involved in this we know
for sure Troopers are involved in this
so the Ohio State Highway Patrol has a
large presence and then we've seen
several uniforms saying police but
difficult to see from our Vantage points
which patches might be on their
shoulders so we're not sure if it's Ohio
state police involved as well as
Columbus Police and we've not received
any statements from either of those
organizations indicating their
intentions for this evening but we did
receive a statement from Ohio State
within the last hour we heard from
Benjamin Johnson a spokesperson with the
university telling us wellestablished
University rules prohibit camping and
overnight events demonstrators exercised
their first amendment rights for several
hours and were then instructed to
disperse individuals who refused to
leave after multiple warnings were
arrested and charged with criminal
trespass so that's where we're at at
this hour as they continue to disperse
this crowd yeah this scene at the
southeast corner of the South oval right
by the Ohio Union here uh we're looking
at College Road in the foreground we're
trying to get folks to move to College
Road then South on College Road uh to
West 12 then East along West 12
presumably out to high Street and then
to disperse to just go home go back at
their dorms go back to their cars as we
heard Ramone tell them a few moments ago
but there are still folks lingering
around number of which we don't really
have a handle on at this point but there
are still groups and and individuals uh
lingering at the scene here and the
large law enforcement presence continues
to stand uh AB breast along a college
road right now trying to encourage
people to just call it a night so again
we heard from protesters their goal in
the beginning was to get the university
to stop doing business with companies
they say support Israel's war that's
what they said their goal was as the day
progressed that message as they worked
to get it across they were also talking
about their focus being to pray and
that's what they said the crowd said
they were protecting the folks at the
center of that so that they could pray
and that's what we heard from protesters
throughout the last hour and a half yeah
protesters noting that the world is
watching us college campuses right now
they're watching in Israel they're
watching in Gaza right now U some of the
protesters we talked to decrying what
they call an overreaction by law
enforcers breaking up this peaceful
protest and pointing the finger at the
administration at OSU as well for moving
in and what they feel was a heavy-handed
response to what was a peaceful protest
um so far we have not seen any uh
widespread disruption certainly no
looting or vandalism as a result of this
large gathering tonight and it's a
subsequent breakup and we did hear from
the University president Ted Carter
earlier this week in a strongly worded
statement after some protesting happened
inside the Union at the end of last week
and he issued a statement saying when
protected speech becomes incitement or
threats of violence Ohio state has and
will always move quickly to enforce the
law and University policy I will not
compromise on this we heard that from
univers City president Ted Carter
earlier this week again a live look at
this hour on Ohio State's campus as law
enforcement work to disperse protesters
who had gathered there outside the Ohio
Union and Stephanie de pre we have not
heard from her in just a few minutes cuz
things had been moving quickly we want
to plug back in with Stephanie who's
been there for hours now following
what's happening there on site Stephanie
where are you what are you seeing and
what is the vibe at this
hour yes so we want to plug back in here
and I have a few things that I want to
touch base on and talk about we're kind
of going down the line here uh with law
enforcement so just to kind of give you
that perspective we do have you know
Columbus um police we're here we have
Ohio State uh Highway Patrol we do have
oh did did you try to chime in there I'm
sorry I thought I heard you try to ask
me something um I'm going to continue to
talk I'm sorry um so again uh Columbus
Police State um Highway Patrol we do
have um the sheriff's office here as
well um so again a line of officers just
kind of making sure the crowd stays at
Bay and that's exactly kind of what's
happening at this point there is really
not that many people um out here like
there was literally two minutes ago so
people are taking that word of caution
word of advice from the folks um who
were leading this protest and telling
them to go home and that's what we're
seeing now now I want to also mention I
have also been in communication just to
kind of wrap up some things here cuz we
heard a lot um from a lot of different
people tonight of course emotions very
high um as we saw some things happen
again right in front of your eyes um I
do want to um kind of just backtrack
here I have been speaking to leaders
here at the University um I believe at
one point um a protester did tell us on
camera that they were seeing people
being tased I'm being told by the
university that that is not true so I
wanted to kind of backtrack there and
let um let you know that that um they're
saying there are no no reports of that
um at this moment so that's kind of what
we're working with now we're going to
zoom in here if we can zoom in on that
bus we're going to try to zoom in here
and see you know officers are collecting
in groups at this point um so we're
going to try to zoom in here and see if
people who were put in cuffs are maybe
in that bus I honestly can't tell you
where those people were taken there was
a lot happening in those moments so as
we were watching people um being put in
cuffs I don't know where they were being
taken um we're trying it is dark we're
trying to zoom in on that bus I don't
know if they're in there or not um again
there's a lot of law enforcement out
here but you know I have not been abl to
I have not been able excuse me to link
up with somebody directly um with law
enforcement that can speak actively to
the media at this point so you know
we've been touch and go um you know with
you know you guys back in studio and
trying to you know get a hold of leaders
here um so of course I'm we're still
trying to to narrow some things down but
again when it comes to those folks um
who were arrested I can't tell you where
uh they were but again you know we've
been out here for the the the course of
the night people are starting to leave
there's still a chopper in the air um so
we'll be out here for the rest of the
night and you know people are leaving so
we'll make sure we keep tabs with you on
air and online live um on campus tonight
I'm Stephanie depre ABC 6 News Bob and
staa I'm going to toss it back to you um
right now all right Stephanie thank you
than you so much again you have been
watching live as protesters gather and
then were dispersed by law enforcement
there on site outside of the Union
several arrests made live right here
we're going to switch things over here
now continue our live coverage from
campus over on our sister station ABC 6
where the NFL draft has been underway
we're going to break in now to continue
this tense situation and our coverage
thereof over at the Ohio state union we
hope you'll stay with us
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