Syracuse, NY — A parent of a student was arrested after he threw food and yelled at Syracuse University protesters on Sunday, the school said.
A group including three parents approached the student-led Pro-Palestine encampment on the Quad when one male parent started being verbally aggressive, according to a statement issued by the school. The statement was signed by Chief Student Experience Officer Allen Groves and Craig Stone, who leads the university’s Department of Public Safety.
Students set up an encampment almost a week ago, demanding the university disclose and divest from Israel and other groups that support Israel, according to a list of demands passed out by protesters. The encampment is similar to others started by college students across the country and in other countries such as France and Japan.
The parent was asked to “de-escalate” by school staff but refused, the school said. Instead, the parent started to throw food, move signs and “verbally berate” the students, school officials said. DPS officers intervened and asked the parent to de-escalate and leave campus but he refused and was arrested, officials said.
It is believed there was no physical contact between the parent and students, officials said. The student protesters remained peaceful, officials said.
The parent was not identified by the school and the school did not say what he was charged with. The DPS daily incident and crime log reports one person arrested for a trespass incident at 117 Crouse Ave. around 1:49 pm
DPS could not be reached for comment or more information.
The arrest comes one day after a student was punched by someone not affiliated with the university, officials said.
On Saturday a group of community members held a protest to show support to students in the encampment. The protest and march around the encampment concluded around 4:30 pm in Walnut Park. Around that time an individual not affiliated with the university was reported to have made the Nazi salute toward a group of students, according to a statement from the school on Saturday. A verbal altercation started and then became physical when a student was punched in the face, officials said.
The student declined to press charges, officials said.
Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or [email protected].
