CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (WHDH) – Protesters at MIT began to tear down police barricades Monday evening, after officials asked students to leave the campus’ ongoing pro-Palestinian encampment or face suspensions.
Around 6:45 p.m., after a deadline for students to leave the encampment came and went, crowds remained on campus and police were seen nearby. Around 5:30 p.m., protesters were standing in the middle of Massachusetts Avenue, and had pushed down barricades and locked arms with each other on MIT’s campus.
More than two weeks after the encampment formed, MIT President Sally Kornbluth in a message to the campus community asked students to leave the encampment on Kresge Lawn by 2:30 p.m. Those who did not leave the encampment before the deadline could face various suspensions depending on their level of involvement in the protest, according to a letter to students from MIT Chancellor Melissa Nobles.
Near 2:45 p.m., Cambridge police cruisers were spotted with their lights flashing near the MIT campus. Massachusetts State Police and MIT police were also on scene, as of 5 p.m.
Officers were beginning to separate pro-Palestinian protesters from pro-Israeli protesters.
“My team and I, as well as many faculty members, have engaged in extensive conversation with these students and have not interfered as they have continued their protest,” Kornbluth said in her letter. “However, given developments over the past several days, I must now take action to bring closure to a situation that has disrupted our campus.”
Kornbluth’s letter came after organizers announced plans for a MIT Community Support Rally Monday afternoon.
As protesters gathered under the eye of law enforcement from several agencies, some spoke with 7NEWS.
“They issued a threat…