The University of Massachusetts Police Department has begun to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus.
UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes released a statement saying a group of demonstrators constructed an unauthorized encampment that included wooden barricades in violation of university policy.
The students were told they could stay, as is their right, but the unauthorized structures had to be removed.
Reyes and members of his leadership team met with representatives of the demonstrators regarding their divestment demands and calls for charges to be dropped against the students arrested in October.
Reyes told the protest leaders their encampment must be removed and he offered to continue ongoing discussions to bridge their differences.
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images News / Getty Images