Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Demonstrators were given until 4 p.m. to clear their encampment at Voorhees Mall where hundreds of students gathered and erected tents.

Matt Trapani

May 2, 2024, 12:37 PM

Updated 165 days ago

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A pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers-New Brunswick has ended peacefully.
Demonstrators were given until 4 p.m. to clear their encampment at Voorhees Mall where hundreds of students gathered and erected tents. The demonstration was mostly peaceful, but there were some interactions between the two sides Thursday afternoon.
Exams that were supposed to take place before noon on the New Brunswick campus were postponed due to the protest. School administrators feared for students’ safety.
Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway said he met with the students representing the protest and expressed the administration’s concern for students’ safety and academic success.
“We value free speech and the right to protest, but it should not come at the cost of our students’ education and safety. We strive to balance these rights and maintain a safe and secure environment for our students to learn and succeed,” Holloway wrote in a statement.
Students for Justice in Palestine and the Endowment Justice Collective have a list of 10 demands that include divesting from firms or corporations that support Israel.
Officials said demonstrators had to leave Voorhees Mall or it would be considered trespassing. News 12 also spoke with a Jewish student who shared her goals.
“My goal on campus is to support the Jewish people and support my people, also to support anyone that’s willing to support me,” the student said.
As demonstrators were leaving, many of them were chanting that they were headed to the Newark campus. Some also said they’d come back to Voorhees Mall, but so far, no one returned.