A group of pro-Palestinian protesters occupied an administrative building at the University of Minnesota on Monday, triggering the arrests of a dozen individuals. The demonstration was part of a broader wave of campus protests across the U.S. following the Israel-Hamas conflict, with demands for institutional divestment from Israel. The university officials issued alerts asking people to exit the building due to property damage and restrictions on entrance and exit. The protesters shared a video announcing their occupation but claimed they were not limiting anyone from entering or exiting the building.
The incident, organized by student activists, involved around 30 protesters entering the administrative building while a larger assembly demonstrated outside. Their grievances included calls for the university to divest from Israel and repeal its political neutrality agreement. The organizers renamed the building “Halimy Hall” in memory of Medo Halimy, a Palestinian TikTok content creator who reportedly died in an Israeli airstrike. The protesters came prepared with tents and supplies, and videos online showed chairs and outdoor furniture stacked in front of a window. Despite the arrests, the individuals inside the building stated they would not leave until their demands were met or they were forced to exit.
University officials confirmed that 11 individuals were detained within two hours of entering Morrill Hall. The protesters spray-painted over internal security camera lenses, damaged windows, and blocked exits and entrances. Colleges across the country have implemented increased security measures and protest guidelines to prevent similar disruptions this semester following protests earlier this year. Tent encampments seen on many campuses in the spring have not returned, but students continue to protest against the rising death toll in Gaza. Officials state that over 42,000 people have been killed by Israel since Hamas led a significant Palestinian militant attack in Israel’s history last year, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages.
This protest at the University of Minnesota was part of a larger movement on college campuses in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with student activists calling for divestment from Israel and pushing for policy changes. The demonstration involved both occupation of an administrative building and an external demonstration. Protesters came prepared with tents and supplies, demanding the university take action in support of Palestinians. Amid rising tensions following the conflict, university officials sought to manage the situation, with protesters facing consequences such as arrests and property damage.
Student activists at the University of Minnesota launched a protest at Morrill Hall, with around 30 individuals entering the building, while others demonstrated outside. The group advocated for divestment from Israel and the repeal of the university’s political neutrality agreement. The demonstration included renaming the building and commemorating a Palestinian individual who reportedly died in an Israeli airstrike. Following the arrests of 11 individuals and damage to the building, the protesters remained inside until their demands were met. This incident is part of ongoing activism on college campuses amid heightened tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict, with students pushing for institutional change and showing solidarity with Palestinians.
The protest at the University of Minnesota, organized by student activists, reflected broader campus movements across the U.S. in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The demonstration involved occupation of an administrative building, leading to arrests and property damage. College campuses have implemented tighter security measures and protest guidelines to prevent disruptions this semester, following previous demonstrations. Despite the challenges, student activists continue to advocate for change and show support for Palestinians. The protest at the University of Minnesota is part of a larger movement addressing political issues and promoting divestment from Israel on college campuses nationwide.
