Ohio State locks some campus buildings, state police ‘available’ ahead of pro-Palestine protests Ohio State University has closed public access to some campus buildings and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is prepared to assist university police ahead of a planned pro-Palestinian protest on campus Wednesday evening.
Hours before students planned to demonstrate on campus against Israel’s war in Gaza, Ohio State’s facilities operations and management sent a message to building coordinators asking them to post “Building Locked” signs on the doors of buildings. Only people with swipe card access will be permitted in buildings “out of an abundance of caution,” the email read.
“Given what has occurred on other college campuses, the university has locked some buildings. The buildings remain open for business,” Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said in a written statement. “This proactive measure is intended to allow university employees to continue their work and best maintain safety on campus.”
Protesters are returning to the South Oval behind the Ohio Union Wednesday after three dozen protesters were arrested for staging a pro-Palestine encampment there, one of dozens at universities across the U.S. calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Protesters, led by students, are calling on Ohio State to disclose its investments in companies tied to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, and to ultimately divest from those.
The university has declined to disclose its investments and cited a state law forbidding targeted boycotting of Israel as an explanation for its inability to divest. On Monday, Ohio State President Ted Carter defended the arrests and general police response to the protests, saying that “Ohio State’s campus will not be overtaken” by protest encampments.
Thursday’s arrests marked the most arrests of protesters on Ohio State’s campus in more than 50 years. More than 40 people have been arrested for protesting there since April 23, when two students were arrested outside an academic building...........
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol declined to discuss its preparations ahead of the Wednesday protest, citing “safety concerns.” Last week, state troopers on the roof of the Ohio Union had rifles ready “reactively to protect the safety of all present, including demonstrators,” an Ohio State spokesperson confirmed..............
https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/ohio-state-university/ohio-state-locks-some-campus-buildings-state-police-available-ahead-of-pro-palestine-protests/
