Clash at Gaza stir at University of Chicago, counter-protesters chant ‘USA’

Police officials entered the University of Chicago on Friday to separate protesters after two groups clashed on campus. The development came hours after pro-Palestine protesters at the University of Chicago were asked to remove their encampments.

As per local media reports, the university president had said the encampment had run afoul of university policies.

The clashes were reported on the Main Quad of the Hyde Park campus.

According to CBS News, the protesters are part of a nationwide movement calling for immediate divestment from countries profiting from Israeli business amid the war in Gaza.

A video shared on X showed protesters at the University of Chicago chanting ‘Born in the USA’ as they waved the flags of their country.

The sloganeering reportedly took place while Muslims had gathered for prayers.

The Chicago Maroon student newspaper reported several Chicago Police squad cars were parked on Ellis Avenue, about a few hundred yards west of the quad, on Friday afternoon.

Following reports of some ‘physical alterations’, the university community received a warning advising all on campus to avoid the Main Quad.

No injuries were reported.

Anti-war demonstrations ceased this week at a small number of US universities after school leaders struck deals with pro-Palestinian protesters, fending off possible disruptions of final exams and graduation ceremonies.

The agreements at schools stand out amid the chaotic scenes and 2,400-plus arrests on 46 campuses nationwide since April 17.

Tent encampments and building takeovers have disrupted classes at some schools, including Columbia and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, Israel has called the protests antisemitic, the Associated Press reported, adding that its critics say the country uses such allegations to silence the opposition.

Although some protesters were caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, protest organisers — some of whom are Jewish — have called it a peaceful movement to defend Palestinian rights and protest the war, the report said.