Maggie Degnan, Channel 3000, May 1, 2024

Protestors Taken Away in Handcuffs

MADISON, Wis. — Police removed nearly all of the tents from Library Mall at 8:21 a.m. Just before 7 a.m., police had given protesters 15 minutes to remove their tents.

Students locked arms and have started chanting as officers attempted to take down the last of the tents. They could be heard shouting “Free Palestine,” “Shame,” and “MPD stand down – students, students hold your ground.”

By 8:15 a.m. law enforcement officers had removed multiple people from the encampment with their hands behind their backs. News 3 Now’s crew said they saw some in zip-ties. It was not immediately clear where law enforcement was taking those individuals.

Protesters and officers started physically clashing on Library Mall at around 8 a.m.

News 3 Now’s crew on the scene reported seeing law enforcement officers using their shields to push some protesters, with some falling to the ground. Students pushed back against those shields as well.

Officers were banding up and holding their shields as of 7:13 a.m. The State Patrol, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and UWPD is on the scene. 

As of 7:15 a.m., officers began taking tents down.

Campus information said classes are still happening Wednesday.

In the 6:00 a.m. hour of Wednesday, law enforcement officials told protesters on the UW pro-divestment encampment they needed to pack up.

Over a speaker, officers told protesters this was their “final warning,” and played that message on a loop. 

Earlier in the morning, News 3 Now crews were on the scene and reported seeing a few law enforcement officers.

Students participating in the encampment remained on Library Mall from Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. The encampment breaks school policy and state law.

The student group organizing the encampment, Students for Justice in Palestine, have said they won’t leave until their demands are met by the university.

Participants in the encampment told News 3 Now Tuesday they had discussions with administrators twice, and were given a deadline of when to leave the encampment.

It’s unclear if Wednesday morning was that deadline.

News 3 Now has reached out to the Dean of Students for a comment on the claims students made about their meetings with administrators.

Coverage of day two of the encampment is available here.

This is an breaking news, developing story. News 3 Now/Channel 3000 will provide updates throughout the day.