Pro-Palestinian protestors entered Stanford University President Richard Saller’s office around 6 a.m. local time and waited until police came, arresting 13 people Wednesday morning.
The protesters stated that they would remain there until Stanford officials divested the university of any financial investments in corporations that provide “material and logistical support to Israel’s current military campaign” against Hamas in Gaza.
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They also sought amnesty for breaking into the university president’s office.
The National Students for Justice in Palestine and Liberate Stanford organized the demonstrations, which included Stanford University students and alumni as participants.
The two organizations issued a combined statement on Instagram, declaring the occupation of Saller’s office and calling for “all out to the main quad.”
“We refuse to leave until the Stanford administration and the Stanford board of trustees meet our demands and take action to address their role in enabling and profiting from the ongoing genocide in Gaza,” Liberate Stanford wrote on its Instagram account.
According to Liberate Stanford, the institution has “millions” of dollars invested in companies that help Israel fight Hamas.
Ten protestors occupied Saller’s office, and around 100 were outside when Santa Clara County Sheriff’s officials ended the occupation shortly after 8 a.m. PDT, according to local media.
Within two hours of occupying the office, the deputies detained 13 demonstrators and emptied it out.
Stanford officials told the media that the demonstrators caused “extensive damage to the interior and exterior of the building,” prompting the university to close for the rest of the day.
University officials reported that protesters assaulted and injured a public safety officer while interfering with a transit truck.
Despite protesters’ demands for amnesty, university administrators warned of punishment.
“We are appalled that our students chose to take this action, and we will work with law enforcement to ensure that they face the full consequences of the law,” Stanford spokesperson Dee Mostofi said in a prepared statement.
“This was not a peaceful protest, and actions such as what occurred this morning have no place at Stanford,” added Mostofi.
Mostofi stated that students who were arrested would be suspended, and seniors would not be allowed to graduate.
