Wayne State University Halts In-Person Classes Amid Pro-Palestinian Protests

Wayne State University in Detroit canceled in-person classes and staff were advised to work remotely due to a pro-Palestinian encampment. With safety concerns rising, the university's administration urged the removal of the camp, but organizers refused. The situation mirrors similar protests in the US and Europe calling for divestment from Israel.

Wayne State University in Detroit suspended in-person classes Tuesday and encouraged staff to work remotely to avoid any problems with a pro-Palestinian encampment that sprouted last week.

"All on-campus events are cancelled until further notice. Critical infrastructure workers are expected to report to campus," the school said in a statement around 5:30 a.m.

Wayne State spokesman Matt Lockwood said there have been "public safety concerns," especially about access to certain areas.

There were two dozen tents on green space near the undergraduate library Tuesday. Participants milled around while police and private security watched nearby. Two portable toilets were full and not usable.

"Yes, we have told the organisers to remove the encampment several times and they have declined to do so," Lockwood said.

Wayne State has 16,000 undergraduate students but fewer during the summer term.

Protest camps sprang up across the US and in Europe as students demand their universities stop doing business with Israel or companies that support its war in Gaza. Organisers seek to amplify calls to end Israel's war against Hamas, which they describe as a genocide against the Palestinians.

Wayne State President Kimberly Andrews Espy said senior officials had offered to meet Tuesday if the camp had been cleared by Monday night but the deal was turned down. The school posted a video of the offer on YouTube.

"That's a joke, bro," an unidentified man at the camp said.

Vice President Patrick Lindsey explained that Wayne State's investment policy would be publicly discussed at a June 26 meeting of the university's governing board.

The University of Michigan on May 21 broke up a similar encampment after 30 days.

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