CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — On Saturday, protesters clashed with state police at the University of Virginia campus. Twenty-seven people were arrested, 12 of whom were students and four were employees.
Danya Khreshi is one of those arrested. A Palestinian student at the university, Khreshi felt a responsibility to do what she feels is right.
"It hits incredibly close to home. We were all shouting and linked arms and attempted to defend our encampment," Khreshi said.
In the days leading up to the weekend's clashes, Khreshi said the protests were peaceful but that all changed Saturday afternoon.
"We were woken up and surprised by State Police, riot police, university police, Charlottesville police. All arriving on the scene with no reasonable warning," Khreshi said.
On Tuesday afternoon, University of Virginia President Jim Ryan apologized for the incidents on Saturday.
“I completely understand and recognize the distress caused by police presence on grounds, especially state police. I am very sorry it got to that point, it’s the last thing any of us wanted,” Ryan said.
He was joined by other university leadership, including University Chief of Police Tim Longo, who said the actions used by both campus and state police were necessary.
“My fear was that if active resistance would continue to escalate, it would be met with reasonable force to escalate that resistance and the potential for escalating force was possible and likely,” Longo said.
Everyone arrested was issued trespassing orders. Those orders for students were modified Monday so students could complete finals and more. Officials said they weren’t warned of the encampment but have been engaging in conversations with student groups about the issues in the Middle East in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s events.
"What we experienced with the encampment since Tuesday and particularly on Saturday is the polar opposite of the activity other students and organizations have done on grounds,” said Kenyon Bonner, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer.
Ryan ultimately called the situation a "no-win situation." University officials know they’ve lost some community trust over this incident and are working to get it back.
Khreshi said the incident has only reinforced her feelings toward her school.
"I have no respect and I never did for this university," Khreshi said.