UB professors send letter to UB president criticizing management of peaceful protest

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — More than 200 University at Buffalo professors sent a letter to UB President Dr. Satish K. Tripathi criticizing his administration’s handling of the protest calling for a cease-fire. the Gaza fire on the university’s north campus on May 1.

In the letter, the faculty said in part: “The rules for student protests were updated in real time on the day of the protest, appearing discriminatory and making it difficult for even the most informed students to follow them. For a small crowd of about 50 protesters, the University called in state law enforcement. “

15 people were arrested after the demonstration. According to UB, individuals with no known affiliation with the university led the effort to establish an encampment and made up a large portion of the protesters. The university said that of the 15 people arrested, eight are believed to be unaffiliated with the university and seven are believed to be UB students.

WATCH: 15 arrests made after pro-Palestinian protest on University at Buffalo North Campus

Pro-Palestinian demonstration on the North Campus of the University at Buffalo

The faculty also called on the university to drop all charges against the protesters and requested a public review of UB police policies and protocols.

7 News contacted UB for a statement, we received the following response: