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
- 📍 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.
- 🕰 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.
- 🚨 The situation escalated as police began arresting individuals for criminal trespassing, with some reports indicating around a dozen arrests made.
- 🙏 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.
- 🗣 There were reports of police aggression, with some protesters alleging that law enforcement used excessive force, including against individuals who were praying.
- 👮♂️ 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.
- 📉 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.
- 🏛 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.
- 🌐 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.
- 📛 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.
- 🚨 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
🚨 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.
📍 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.
🤝 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.
🕍 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.
🏫 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.
📢 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.
🚔 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.
🌐 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.
📢 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.
🏃 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.
🤝 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
💡Protest
💡Law Enforcement
💡Arrest
💡Criminal Trespassing
💡Divest
💡First Amendment Rights
💡University Administration
💡Peaceful Assembly
💡Dispersion
💡Solidarity
💡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