Police cited 22 more pro-Palestine demonstrators on charges of trespassing, interference and disturbing the peace Monday and Tuesday after groups of protesters refused to leave Auraria Campus buildings, according to school officials.
More than a dozen protesters marched from the 19-day-old Gaza solidarity encampment on the Tivoli Quad to the University of Colorado Denver Student Commons on Monday and entered the Bursar’s Office on the fifth floor, according to an Auraria news release.
Officials told protesters to leave and the campus was put on lockdown around 4:45 p.m. due to police activity in the commons, according to a social media post.
Some of the demonstrators left peacefully and continued their protest outside, but 10 stayed in the building and were issued summonses by Auraria Campus police, officials said.
The protesters were released immediately and the lockdown was lifted at 5:48 p.m., according to the news release.
Another group of protesters entered the Tivoli Student Union at 4 p.m. Tuesday, set up tents inside the building and led chants, according to a campus news release.
Twelve people were cited for trespassing and interference after refusing to leave the area. The campus was under a lock down until 6:20 p.m. and the student union remained closed Tuesday night.
Tuesday marks the third time protesters have been cited by police inside an Auraria Campus building. On May 7, approximately 14 protesters were issued summonses for trespassing and failing to obey lawful orders after sitting in a circle and leading pro-Palestine chants inside the Advanced Manufacturing Sciences Institute.
Earlier that day, protesters entered the Tivoli Student Union as Angie Paccione, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, met with a group of demonstrators. Another group entered executive offices at the student union and left after agreeing to meet with campus leaders at a different time.
More than 40 protesters were arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest and encampment tents were removed on April 26. Protesters, who have been camping at the Tivoli Quad since April 25, rebuilt the encampment later that day.
The Auraria Campus is home to CU Denver, the Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Community College of Denver.
The anti-war demonstrators are demanding the CU system and MSU Denver divest from any funds or companies related to or doing business with Israel.
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