NEW ORLEANS — A Free Palestine rally that started on the sidewalk in the shadow of Tulane University in Uptown New Orleans spilled onto Freret Street.
Thursday afternoon, the protest turned violent when one demonstrator in the back of a pickup truck, tried to light an Israeli flag on fire.
“A Tulane student attempted to grab it and that initially, the person holding the Palestinian flag whacked the Tulane student over the head with it and then the brawl started to proceed,” Tulane law student Ryan Zamos said.
Zamos caught the altercation on a cellphone video.
“That car had driven by four times previously and they were trying to incite some violence in the crowd. Just yelling anti-Semitic remarks,” Zamos said.
In a statement, a group calling itself Tulane4Palestine said the rally was meant to be a peaceful protest featuring Muslim and Arab students sharing their experiences of discrimination and harm on campus.
And, that the peaceful nature of the rally was disturbed when students rushed into the street.
A woman who identified herself as “Nour”, a Loyola student said she was demonstrating in support of the Palestinian people.
“We’re chanting for freedom,” Nour said. “We’re chanting for human rights for all human rights. Our message is simply Free Palestine.”
Hamas militants attacked Israel earlier this month.
Israeli strikes in Gaza have intensified since then.
The war has led to protests and a rise in antisemitism on college campuses and across the country.
Some Tulane students, including Bali Lavine, complained the university was slow to respond to the violence.
“Tulane, support your Jewish students,” Lavine said. “This is not okay. I expect more, we expect more. Protect your Jewish students is all I can say.”
According to Tulane, eventually, 40 officers arrived and got the protest under control.
At least three students were injured, and police made several arrests.
In a statement, Tulane President Michael Fitts said many of the protestors were not affiliated with the university.
He went on to say, “We are continuing to increase security on campus and assisting our students in any way we can. We are also actively preparing for any additional demonstrations and activity.”
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