NYU students have tense face-off with police after encampment is reestablished at college

NYU students protesting in support of Palestine re-erected an encampment outside the college on Friday after having their original base raided by police earlier in the week — and were instantly met with a tense face-off with cops in riot gear.

The students — who are joining with other pro-Palestine demonstrations across the country, including uptown at Columbia University – returned on April 26 and set up camp between Bleecker and Mercer Streets.

The young people say they set up the encampment to hold a Passover seder when the face-off began around 6 p.m.

Interlocking arms, the students came face-to-face with officers in riot gear. With some saying they had been arrested and pepper sprayed during the Monday clash at Gould Plaza that saw some 120 arrests, the previous clash seemed to weigh heavy on the minds of both cops and students Friday.

The students chanted “Free Palestine,” waved flags and interlocked arms in the face of cops staring at them through riot helmets. 

Meanwhile, NYU admin attempted to negotiate with students. After several hours of strained impasses, students agreed to remove their tents. With the concessions made, NYPD left the campus and students sat crossed legged and continued observing their Seder.

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