Chicago Police respond to clash between protesters at DePaul University
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Tensions continue to run high at college campuses across the country as students protest Israel's war in Gaza. On Sunday, clashes erupted at DePaul as pro-Palestinian protesters were met with counter-pro-Israel protesters. At one point, school administrators called Chicago Police to intervene.
Demonstrators have been mostly peaceful at the encampment, they set up six days ago at the quad.
The clashes ranged from objects being thrown to screaming matches.
In one violent clash, which CBS 2 is told happened at a different location on campus, two pro-Israel protesters used their flag poles to attack a pro-Palestinian protester.
It got so heated that DePaul's Office of Public Safety called in Chicago Police. Officers lined up between the two groups, and some of the pro-Israel protesters spilled into the street, obstructing traffic. At the time, the university issued an alert urging students to avoid the area and to remain inside their buildings.
Later, the school posted on its "X" account that students can leave their buildings after being alerted to remain indoors but to avoid the Quad and Fullerton when leaving the Richardson Library, SAC, McGowan North/South, and University Hall.
The situation was stabilized just after 3 p.m.
CBS 2 witnessed one person being wheeled away on a stretcher while another was surrounded by CPD and pulled off the premises.
This marks the second time that pro-Israel protesters have shown up to the quad to counter-protest.
The pro-Israel protesters went on to hold their rally on the other side of campus while the encampment paused for prayers and reflection.
But even in the middle of an interview, tensions flared up again when a man suddenly tore off signs at the quad.
"I think this is a clear indication of how you know we are actually peaceful protesters, and we haven't done anything," said pro-Palestinian student Henna Aiyash. "It's usually always the other side doing things. We don't want to engage in that type of activity. Our main focus is divestment, and that's what we're focusing on."
It's a message Rabbi Mendy Benhiyoun of Chabad Lincoln Park said is getting lost amid the chaos and unrest fueled by the encampment, which he says created an unsafe situation for Jewish members of the community.
He provided a picture of a sign from the encampment as an example. It reads, "Jewish safety cannot be achieved until Palestine is freed."
"I see people with masks on that are violent, that are hateful. There is no dialogue. There is no conversation," he said. "If anybody tries to talk, they push them away."
Despite the tense situation, there were no reports of arrests or injuries.
