On Thursday, more than a dozen demonstrators were arrested at Ohio State University during anti-Israel protests that took place on the Columbus campus. The protests, which saw clashes between police in riot gear and protesters, were part of a larger movement sweeping the nation in support of Palestine.
The demonstrations began at around 5 p.m. when hundreds of pro-Palestine supporters gathered in the South Oval green space area of the campus. They were calling on the university to divest its investments with Israel-linked companies. However, at 7:30 p.m., Ohio State police officers started instructing the crowd to disperse, but the protesters refused to comply.
As tensions escalated, by 10 p.m., a significant police presence, including Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers, surrounded the protesters. Shortly before 11 p.m., police began making arrests, with videos showing individuals being loaded into vans and buses near the campus.
According to reports, three students were arrested on Tuesday, and three more were apprehended on Wednesday in connection with the protests. University spokesman Ben Johnson explained that state law prohibits Ohio State from divesting in Israel, citing Ohio Revised Code Section 9.76, which specifically prohibits divestment from Israel or entities associated with it.
