Wayne State University in Detroit announced on Tuesday the suspension of in-person classes and encouraged staff to work remotely to avoid potential conflicts with participants of a pro-Palestinian camp set up near the campus last week.
In an official statement, the university said, "All on-campus events have been canceled until further notice, and critical infrastructure workers are expected to report to campus."
Matt Lockwood, a spokesperson for Wayne State, expressed concerns about public safety, particularly access to certain areas. "We have requested the organizers to remove the camp several times, but they have refused," Lockwood added.
According to the Associated Press, 20 tents were erected in the green spaces near the student library on Tuesday. Participants roamed the area while police and security personnel monitored the situation from a close distance.
Protest camps have sprung up across the United States and Europe, with students demanding their universities sever ties with Israel or companies supporting its war in Gaza.
Organizers aim to intensify calls to end the Israeli war against the Gaza Strip, which they describe as a genocide against Palestinians.
Wayne State University President Kimberly Andrews Espy stated that senior officials had offered to meet on Tuesday if the camp was vacated by Monday night, but the deal was rejected.
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