ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Early this morning, New Mexico State Police and UNM police cleared out the pro-Palestinian protesters who had set up an encampment at the duck pond for weeks. They arrested seven protesters, including two students.

University officials told the protesters they had until 5 p.m. Tuesday to clear out, but they only ramped up their efforts. Then police forced them out Wednesday morning.

They were charged with criminal trespassing and wrongful use of property – what the protesters who occupied the Student Union Building were charged with.

The university said one person was also charged with concealing their identity.

Many of the demonstrators are asking the university to divest from any company doing business with Israel.

In an email sent to all Lobos, UNM President Garnett Stokes said the university will release “the results of its research into its investment portfolio by August 2024, which was identified as a target date by student advocates.”

On the call for a ceasefire, Stokes said the university “stands for peace.”

Stokes also stated that while the university supports peaceful protests, the encampments violated several school policies.